By Royston Alkins
Trevon `Bugsy’ Griffith last Sunday smashed his way into the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) record books when he muscled Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) into the semi-finals of the JCA All-Island 50-overs-a-side tournament.
The Guyanese, who is one of the JCA overseas-based contracted players, in the new franchise system, batted the entire 50 overs and smashed a record breaking 237 to see his team to a 182-run win over the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
Melbourne, who batted first at the Up Park Camp ground, complied a formidable 407 for seven off their allotted overs with Sadiki Bolt, 62, supporting the Guyanese.
Bowling for the military men, off-spinner Rasheed Outar took 2-65 and Rayan Bennett, 2-71 as the Up Park men took a battering.
JDF, in reply managed 225 with Jermaine Harrison the only man passing 50.
He made a quick-fire 55. Off spinner, Sadiki Bolt was the chief destroyer with 5-43.
The day however, belonged to Griffith, who now holds the highest individual score in any JCA 50 overs tournament.
Griffith’s knock of 237, which included 14 sixes and 21 fours, now tops the previous best of 230 which was made by Jamaican Andre McCarthy.
Griffith, in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports confessed that he was elated at achieving what is now his personal best.
Great feeling
“It’s obviously a great feeling scoring a double century in a one-day match. It’s something I always wanted to do and it has now finally happened.”
The former West Indies Under-19 player also expressed satisfaction at batting the entire 50-overs.
“The double (century) is even more fulfilling because I batted the full 50 overs. I’ve always wanted to challenge myself to bat the full 50-overs of a one day game,” he added.
Griffith said that despite being his usual aggressive self, he was also very watchful.
“I played my natural game. One thing that helped was me being very watchful early on especially knowing that the wicket was a good one to bat on.
“A lot of people think that I’m only capable of playing one-day cricket and it was good to put my head down and bat the entire innings,” he added.
The stylish left-hander, who plays for the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) when he’s home, said that he had to make a deliberate effort to mix aggression and defence. He also pointed out that the innings was a good test of his fitness, which he takes much pride in.
“Batting through the 50 overs just convinced me more that my fitness level is at its peak.”
Looking ahead
Meanwhile, he express-ed his disappointment at not making the Jamaica Scorpions team for the Regional Super50 tournament which commences today after scoring two half centuries in the trials; 71 and 79 but said that he must continue to deliver good performances. “I’m obviously disappointed that I wasn’t selected, it would have been a good opportunity for me to improve my numbers but that’s how the game goes and I’m just looking ahead.”
Griffith, who made his first-class debut for Guyana against Jamaica in 2008, has since played nine (9) first class matches, scoring a solitary half century.
Griffith, playing for Melbourne Cricket Club in the JCA competitions, scored 390 runs from six (6) games during the last two-day competition, topping the batting charts for the club while scoring a half century in the final.
Griffith sang praises to Jamaica coaches Robert Samuels and Junior Bennett who have both contributed to his development.
“Samuels (Robert) And Bennett (Junior) have assisted me a lot. They have been instrumental in helping me to improve my game mentally and technically.”
The new Jamaican record holder, concluded the exclusive interview by making known his intentions of working his way back into the Scorpions four-day setup for the second half of the Regional four-day tournament which recommences later this year.
“The team and batsmen have been doing well but I’ll be looking to score some runs in the upcoming four-day trials and JCA two-day competition to get myself back into the team. The two-day competition starts just after the Regional 50 overs ends and I’ll be looking to score heavily,” he added.
