40ov [1 . . . . .] 148/6: Cornwall 29*, E Powell 4*. T&T changing tactics now after a virtual glut of runs in the first half hour of play. They are bowling much tighter. Sunil Narine not allowing the batsman much room.
39ov [. . . nb . . .] 147/6: Cornwall 28*, E Powell 4*. Imran Khan now bowling wide off stump and Elsroy Powell is not drawn into any false shots. Just a no ball in the over.
38ov [. 2 2 . . .] 146/6: Cornwall 28*, E Powell 4*. Cornwall picks off two easy doubles off Narine who delivers his first over of the innings.
Bowling change. Sherwin Ganga off and Sunil Narine is on. No sign of Jaggernauth yet.
37ov [. 1 1 2 . 1lb] 142/6: Cornwall 24*, E Powell 4*. Five runs from the Imran Khan over. No pressure being applied. The batsmen are free to drive into the off side for singles or turn fine into the leg side. T&T are not on song at all.
36ov [1 . . 1 1 2] 137/6: Cornwall 21*, E Powell 3*. The runs sure are coming. T&T are not doing enough to tie the batsmen down. Leewards are 65 runs adrift now. Once they do not lose any wickets they will get there quickly given how runs have been flowing this morning.
35ov [. W . . . .] 132/6: Cornwall 19*, E Powell 0*. Imran Khan, the Trini trump spinner comes up - you guessed it - trumps for his team.
WICKET: O Banks c J Mohammed b Khan 29. 132/6. BREAKTHROUGH! Banks will be having nightmares at that. It was pitched outside leg stump and he had no need to play at it but he popped it to mid wicket where Jason Mohammed takes a low tumbling catch. The Leewards were cruising but that is a huge blow. They could ill afford to lose Banks.
34ov [. 4 1 . . 1] 132/5: Banks 29*, Cornwall 19*. Cornwall drives at a wide delivery and it peels off the outside edge and races away through the vacant third man region for 4.
33ov [1b . . . . 1nb 1] 126/5: Banks 28*, Cornwall 14*. DROPPED! Banks turns the ball into Justin Guillen's hands at bat pad and it goes in and out. Reflex catch. You've got to take those first up. He tried to juggle it but it dropped to the ground like a paratrooper with faulty equipment.
Imran Khan, the leggie with a bagful of wickets this season, bowls from the Vasbert Drakes End.
32ov [1 1 3 1 . 1] 122/5: Banks 27*, Cornwall 13*. A very loose over by Sherwin Ganga. Not bowling a tight line or length. Allowed the batsmen to do as they pleased in keeping the score ticking.
It's Sherwin Ganga to start and Cornwall will face.
9:58am: The umpires - Goland Greaves and Ricardo Brathwaite - are out and the Trinidad & Tobago players gather in a huddle. Omari Banks and Wilden Cornwall walk past them and more towards the pitch to take their guards.
9:30am: Welcome back to Foursquare Oval for the homestretch. It is day four and the game is interestingly poised. Leeward Islands are on 115 for 5 in pursuit of 202 for an outright win and Trinidad & Tobago need five wickets for a come-from-behind win after losing first innings points. Just a slight adjustment from last evening. The umpires pointed out that there was a short run which we had missed and as such the score is 115 for 5 and not 116. At the wicket are Omari Banks on 25 and Wilden Cornwall on 8. They are the obvious keys. One of those two need to take it to the end and they also need to put on a substantial partnership before the tailenders come into reckoning. Leewards need 87 runs. Play commences at 10am and one way or another we reckon that it shouldn't go on for too much longer after lunch.
STUMPS, DAY 3: Scores: T&T 176 & 226, LI 201 & 116/5. The Leewards need 202 to win and take full points but it was fine work by the Trinis to dislodge five wickets. The last realistic hope for Leewards are at the crease in Omari Banks on 25 and Wilden Cornwall on 8. The tail proved in the first innings that it can wag but they will want a substantial stand from Banks and Cornwall rather than leave the bulk of the work for the lower order. Amit Jaggernauth 3 for 40 plus one wicket to Shannon Gabriel and the other going via the run out route. Join us at 10am tomorrow for the final day's play. One way or another it should not go to two full sessions. It will take some batting by Banks and Cornwall and the lower order but the Trinis also are in with a good chance of removing the last five wickets before the Leewards get to 202. Have a good Sunday evening.
31ov [. . . . 1 .] 116/5: Banks 25*, Cornwall 8*. End of play.
30ov [. 1 . . 1 4] 115/5: Banks 25*, Cornwall 7*. All run four by Banks. He turned it behind square and they dashed through for four. That's quite an achievement for the burly Cornwall.
Imran Khan continues to Banks
29oc [. . . 1 1 .] 109/5: Banks 20*, Cornwall 6*. Leewards have come down a few gears now. Two overs left in the day's play.
28ov [. . . . . .] 107/5: Banks 19*, Cornwall 5*. Maiden by Imran Khan. Three more overs before end of play. Leewards are now batting for close of play. Blocking is the approach.
27ov [1 1 1 . 2 2 ] 107/5: Banks 19*, Cornwall 5*. Intelligent batting by Banks and Cornwall. Singles and two. Placing the ball between the gaps, playing with soft hands and running hard.
26ov [. 1 . . . .] 100/5: Banks 17*, Cornwall 0*. 100 up, the Leewards are just about half way there but they have lost the entire top half of their batting as well. Tricky situation here for them.
25ov [W . . . . .] 99/5: Banks 16*, Cornwall 0*. Jaggernauth takes his third wicket of the innings to peg Leewards back and put Trinidad slightly ahead. With half the batting attack removed the Trinis have their tails up and are showing aggressive intent.
WICKET: S Liburd c Narine b Jaggernauth 1. 99/5. Liburd drove to wide mid off and Sunil Narine takes a few steps to his left and hauls in a catch which was not difficult by any means. In trouble now are the Leewards. Their plan to get to 202 seems to be to play with gay abandon and wild aggression.
24ov [. . 1 4 . .] 99/4: Banks 16*, Liburd 1*. Banks cuts for 4. Supreme shot. 100 almost up but four wickets are down.
23ov [. . . . 4 W] 94/4: Banks 12*, Liburd 0*. Trinis making more inroads into the Leewards batting. This is becoming increasingly difficult for the Leeward Islanders.
WICKET: C Rodgers c S Ganga b Jaggernauth 5. 94/4: Rodgers looks to go over midwicket and gets a top edge. About 8 fielders converge at gully but Sherwin Ganga signals them off and takes the catch. Wild shot by Rodgers looking to hit his way to end of play but ends up failing for the second time in the game. Captain Steve Liburd is the new bat.
22ov [3 1 2 6 . .] 90/3: Rodgers 1*, Banks 12*. Banks goes waaaaaaaay over wide mid on and gets the maximum.
Ganga is off and Imran Khan - the tournament's leading wickettaker - comes in.
21ov [2 . . W 1 .] 78/3: Rodgers 0*, Banks 1*. The third Leewards wicket falls and they are set back yet again just at a time when they needed Powell, who was set, to bat to the end of the day at least.
WICKET: K Powell Run Out (Perkins) 33. 77/3. Powell plays defensively but ventures out of his crease and William Perkins under the bat fields the ball and flicks it onto the stumps. Brilliant work by Perkins. A dive back by Powell does not manage to save him.
20ov [. . . 1 . .] 75/2: K Powell 31*, Rodgers 0*.
19ov [W . . . . .] 74/2: K Powell 30*, Rodgers 0*. Jaggernauth makes a much needed breakthrough and brings a halt to that Hodge/Powell partnership which was looking rather ominous.
WICKET: M Hodge c Narine b Jaggernauth 33. 74/2. Hodge drives high at cover but Sunil Narine skips backwards a few paces, leaps up and takes a tremendous catch. The second wicket is gone for Leewards and Hodge's chancey knock comes to an end.
18ov [1 1 . . . .] 74/1: Hodge 33*, K Powell 30*.
17ov [1 . . . . .] 72/1: Hodge 32*, K Powell 29*.Just a single. The Leewards are more or less cruising. They are 130 runs short of victory now and they have 9 wickets in hand.
16ov [. . . . 4 .] 71/1: Hodge 32*, K Powell 28*. Whipped through mid wicket for 4 by Hodge.
15ov [2 . . . . .] 67/1: Hodge 28*, K Powell 27*. Two runs to Powell through a sharp edge past the pads of wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed.
14ov [. . 1 . . . ] 65/1: Hodge 28*, K Powell 27*. A quiet over. Single only.
The exciting Shannon Gabriel is off. Sherwin Ganga comes into the attack.
13ov [. . . . . 4] 64/1: Hodge 28*, K Powell 26*. Short ball pulled away by Hodge for 4. Punished a poor delivery.
Amit Jaggernauth continues after a quick drinks break. Hodge to face. This is more intermission than anything else as everyone wants to see Gabriel v Hodge.
12ov [. 1 3 1nb . 1 1] 60/1: Hodge 24*, K Powell 26*. Gabriel is giving Hodge some trouble. He really is working up some pace and Hodge is not backing down. He tries to hook twice and spoons the ball but it falls in no man's land just behind square leg with three fielders rushing towards the ball but unable to get in quickly enough to take the catch.
11ov [. . . . . .] 52/1: Hodge 21*, K Powell 22*. Maiden by Jaggernauth and now we're back to the Shannon Gabriel show. He's excited the handful of spectators on hand and they are anxious to see his next over.
10ov [. . . 4 . 4nb nb nb .] 52/1: Hodge 21*, K Powell 22*. Flicked off the pads and it rips away to the square leg boundary. Comment in the media tent was that it had a tinge of Tendulkar in it but it was more Dhoni. All wrist. All run four to follow but two are overthrows. 50 up. BOWLED! NO BALL! Gabriel scatters the stumps of Hodge but it was a no ball, the third consecutive one for the over. That was sweet though, all three stumps were out the ground, scattered! COMPLETELY BEATS Hodge for pace. He had no clue whatsoever! Spoiled by the no ball.
9ov [1 . 1 1 . .] 41/1: Hodge 13*, K Powell 22*. And now they turn to singles and turn over the strike.
8ov [. 3 2 1 . .] 38/1: Hodge 11*, K Powell 21*. Brisk scoring continues by the Leewards batsmen. The strategy is not to play out the afternoon. It seems more like they want to get the winning 202 total by close of play.
7ov [4 . 6 1 2 .] 32/1: Hodge 8*, K Powell 18*. Powell clips off the pads for 4 through mid wicket. Well placed. He then hits the biggest First Class six at Foursquare. High and powerfully hit over midwicket for a huge six.
Bowling change number one. Kelly off. Amit Jaggernauth the off spinner who played one Test for the Windies comes in.
6ov [. . . 4 . .] 19/1: Hodge 6*, K Powell 7*. Hodge pulls a short ball for four. Third time is a charm. He pulled twice before but did not make full contact.
5ov [. . 4 . . 2] 15/1: Hodge 2*, K Powell 7*. Off drive by Powell. Powerful shot as Kieran Powell's shots usually are. 4 runs.
4ov [. . 1 W 1 .] 9/1: Hodge 2*, K Powell 1*. Gabriel takes the first wicket and the Trinis are on their way.
WICKET: M Richards c wkt Mohammed b Gabriel 6. 8/1. Pace and angled across the left handed Richards and he sparred at it and got a thin edge through to keeper Mohammed. That was perfectly pitched and it had some pace on it. Chief Selector Clyde Butts seated in the media tent is chatting away excitedly after seeing that delivery. Gabriel is striving to bowl on one side of the wicket which is not always a given with Windies fast bowlers. He is not bowling on a dead off stump line but he is striving to keep it on one side of the wicket.
3ov [. . . 4 . .] 7/0: Hodge 1*, Richards 6*. Steered past slip for 4 by Richards.
2ov [. . . . . .] 3/0: Hodge 1*, Richards 2*. Good pace and bounce from Gabriel but he's a bit spotty in terms of line. The length is mostly short but he's everywhere from middle stump to outside off in line.
Shannon Gabriel from the Arthur Bethell End.
1ov [. . 1 2 . .] 3/0: Hodge 1*, Richards 2*. Both batsmen off the mark in the very first over.
And now for the final session of the third day. It will be a ripper of a session we reckon. A minimum of 31 overs remain today with Richard Kelly to bowl the first one from the Vasbert Drakes or far end. Montcin Hodge and Mali Richards will open. Their target is 202. The match was enthrallingly set up by Imran Khan & co prior to tea. It has been a low scoring affair and the Leewards have been set a modest but by no means easily achievable target. This session promises to be another key one. If the Trinis can extract a few wickets the Leewards will be up against it but if they can get to the end without losing any wickets or perhaps just one they will feel confident about returning tomorrow and chasing down the 202.
TEA/END OF INNINGS: Trinidad and Tobago all out for 226 as the tea break is taken. T&T have now set the Leeward Islands 202 to win. It is one run more than they made in the first innings when they made 201 in response to T&T's 176 runs. Imran Khan top scored with 63 while there was 44 from Jason Mohammed and 32 from Sherwin Ganga. Cornwall took 4 for 56 and Omari Banks 4 for 53 to lead the Leewards bowling.
92ov [. . . . . W] 226: Gabriel 2*. Cornwall gets his fourth wicket in the innings and 9th in the match in his first match this season. The second oldest man in the tournament (Floyd Reifer is the oldest) has turned in fine bowling performances but that session belonged to Imran Khan and Trinidad and Tobago. He played an innings which gives his team a chance of pressing hard for an outright, come-from-behind win.
WICKET: I Khan b Cornwall 63. 226 all out. Khan's tremendous knock comes to an end as he drives to drive Cornwall and misses.
91ov [. . . . . . 1] 226/9: Khan 63*, Gabriel 2*. Stumping appeal v Imran Khan turned down by square leg umpire Goland Greaves and Steve Liburd the stand in keeper is carrying on for quite some time. He's most unhappy. Khan takes a cheeky single last ball and farms the strike.
91ov [. . . . . . 1] 226/9: Khan 63*, Gabriel 2*. Stumping appeal v Imran Khan turned down by square leg umpire Goland Greaves and Steve Liburd the stand in keeper is carrying on for quite some time. He's most unhappy. Khan takes a cheeky single last ball and farms the strike.
90ov [4 2 1 2 . .] 225/9: Khan 62*, Gabriel 2*. He loves that extra cover boundary does Imran Khan. He goes high towards it and gets a four this time. The lead is now exactly 200. Gabriel gets huge cheers from the dressing room with every shot he plays. When he got off the mark with a turn into the leg side there was a roar from the T&T dressing room. They are enjoying it.
Wilden Cornwall comes back and Omari Banks is off.
89ov [. . . . 1 .] 216/9: Khan 55*, Gabriel 0*. Imran Khan retains the strike.
88ov [. . . 6 6 1] 215/9: Khan 54*, Gabriel 0*. Two extraordinary sixes over extra cover bringing up Imran Khan's 50. A superb, responsible and vital half century it has been. He has played very well. Those were the shots of top quality international batsmen. T&T are now 190 ahead and this is going to be a challenge for Leeward. Remember they only made 201 in their first innings.
87ov [. 2 . 3 . W] 202/8: Khan 41*, Gabriel 0*. The 200 is up but T&T lose their 8th wicket to Anthony Martin. They are 177 ahead with the last pair now at the crease.
WICKET: S Narine lbw Martin 0. 202/9. Narine offers no shot to a straight delivery from Martin and Umpire Ricardo Brathwaite raises his finger without hesitation.
86ov [6 . 1 . . W] 197/8: Khan 36*, Narine*. What a shot! Goes over extra cover and goes all the way! 6!
WICKET: A Jaggernauth c Hodge b Banks 12. 197/8. Jaggernauth places a long hop straight into the hands of Montcin Hodge at extra cover. A critical partnership of 51 comes to an end. Sunil Narine comes in.
85ov [. . . . 1 4] 190/7: Khan 29*, Jaggernauth 12*. Jaggernauth cuts in front of square for four. Top shot from the left handed Jaggernauth.
84ov [2 . 1 . 1 1] 185/7: Khan 28*, Jaggernauth 8*. Productive over for T&T. They are building their total and are now 159 ahead. Leewards need to break this partnership.
83ov [2w . . 3 . . .] 180/7: Khan 24*, Jaggernauth 7*.
82ov [. . . . . .] 174/7: Khan 21*, Jaggernauth 7*. Maiden from Banks. Jaggernauth playing doggedly, he's not always in control but fighting on.
81ov [. . . . 4 .] 174/7: Khan 21*, Jaggernauth 7*. Exquisite drive through covers for four by Khan.
The new ball is now due. Not yet taken though.
80ov [2 . . . . 1] 170/7: Khan 17*, Jaggernauth 7*. Square drive by Khan brings him two runs and he gets a single through the off side at the end of the over.
79ov [. . . . . .] 167/7: Khan 14*, Jaggernauth 7*. DROPPED! Full blooded drive by Jaggernauth and it went low to Elsroy Powell's left at short extra cover. He gets both hands to it but puts it down. Another catch goes abegging.
Short break for drinks and Wilden Cornwall comes into the attack
78ov [. . . . 1 .] 167/7: Khan 14*, Jaggernauth 7*.
Banks to Jaggernauth
77ov [. . . . 2 1] 166/7: Khan 14*, Jaggernauth 6*.
76ov [. . 1 . . .] 163/7: Khan 14*, Jaggernauth 3*.
75ov [. . . . . .] 162/7: Khan 12*, Jaggernauth 2*. Khan looks to turn the final delivery off the pads but misses. Lovely take down the leg side by Liburd and the appeal goes up but more optimistic than confident.
74ov [. 1 . . 1 1] 162/7: Khan 12*, Jaggernauth 2*. DROPPED! Jaggernauth edged to slip where the ball goes in and out of Justin Athanaze's hands. Criminal drop.
73ov [. . . 1 . .] 159/7: Khan 11*, Jaggernauth 1*. Single to Khan turning it behind square.
72ov [. . 1 . . .] 158/7: Khan 11*, Jaggernauth 1*. Comedy of errors on the 4th delivery. Jaggernauth goes for a wild swipe and it was heading just short of mid off. Codville Rodgers was coming in to take a comfortable catch but lost his footing and fell. The ball dropped a mere few feet in front of him. Banks can't believe it but there is nothing he or anyone else can do.
71ov [. . 4 . 1 .] 157/7: Khan 10*, Jaggernauth 1*. Lofted over mid on for four. T&T now lead by 132 with just three wickets remaining.
70ov [. . 2 1 . .] 152/7: Khan 5*, Jaggernauth 1*.
69ov [1 . . . 1 .] 148/7: Khan 1*, Jaggernauth 1*. Both of the new batsmen off the mark.
Athanaze continues to Khan.
68ov [. . . W W .] 146/7: Khan 0*, Jaggernauth 0*. Two more wickets for Banks after lunch. He has removed both batsmen who were not out at lunch and then gets another straight away. Three wickets to him but he did not get the hat trick. Jaggernauth leaves the ball outside off stump for the keeper Liburd to take. Leewards are now firmly on course for victory surely.
WICKET: R Kelly c Hodge b Banks 0. 146/7. First ball! Kelly goes for a wild swipe and only succeeds in scooping it to Montcin Hodge at cover. What a poor choice of shot, awful and clumsy dismissal at a time when Kelly needed to apply himself and play a stubborn hand for his team. Omari Banks is on a hat trick. Amit Jaggernauth will face.
WICKET: J Mohammed lbw Banks 44. 146/6. Banks has been appealing all over and this time traps Mohammed on the pad. He appeals and appeals and appeals and after ages Umpire Goland Greaves raises the finger proving that he does not in fact have paralysis in his right hand as suggested by someone in the media center. Richard Kelly is the next Trini batsman in.
67ov [1 . . . . .] 146/5: J Mohammed 44*, Khan 0*. Good over by Athanaze, extracting generous bounce and even giving stand in keeper Steve Liburd some trouble in gathering.
66ov [. . . . . 1] 145/5: J Mohammed 43*, Khan 0*. Another over, another single to Mohammed. Banks is enjoying bowling to him it appears.
65ov [. . 1 . . .] 144/5: J Mohammed 42*, Khan 0*. Another single to Mohammed to move to within 8 of a half century.
Athanaze to Mohammed.
64ov [W . . . . .] 143/5: J Mohammed 41*, Khan 0*. Wicket maiden for Banks to give the Leewards a picture perfect start to the session.
WICKET: G Mohammed c Rodgers b Banks 17. 143/5. A fine start to the session for Leewards. Gibran Mohammed gave it away there. He virtually drove that ball straight to Codville Rodgers who is at a slightly deep mid off. A setback for T&T. Imran Khan is the new batsman.
63ov [. . . . . 2] 143/4: J Mohammed 41*, G Mohammed 17*. Two runs through the third man region for Jason who moves into the 40s.
Justin Athanaze - who we haven't much of this match - comes on to bowl his off spin. This is his first bowl in the innings.
62ov [. . . . . .] 141/4: J Mohammed 39*, G Mohammed 17*. Banks starts with a maiden. Gibran Mohammed plays defensively throughout.
Back after lunch. A critical session is before us. The course of this decision could determine the course of the match. The winner of this session may well set themselves on course for an outright win. Omari Banks resumes at the Vasbert Drakes End.
LUNCH: Trinidad & Tobago are 141 for 4 with the two Mohammeds at the crease. Jason is on 39 and Gibran on 17. The only wicket of the session was that of Sherwin Ganga who made 32. T&T are 116 ahead with six wickets remaining. The impressive workhorse Wilden 'Polo' Cornwall (24-9-37-3) has taken three of the four wickets to fall with the other going to Anthony Martin. Re-join us in 40 minutes for the post-lunch session.
61ov [. 1 . . 1 .] 141/4: J Mohammed 39*, G Mohammed 17*. That's lunch.
Martin to Jason Mohammed for the final over before lunch.
60ov [. . . . . .] 138/4: J Mohammed 37*, G Mohammed 15*. Second maiden for Banks. Not bowling at the stumps though.
59ov [. 2 4 . . .] 138/4: J Mohammed 37*, G Mohammed 15*. Swept to the backward square boundary by Gibran Mohammed for four.
Lunch is creeping up on us. 2, maybe 3 overs before the meal.
58ov [. . . . . .] 132/4: J Mohammed 37*, G Mohammed 9*. Starts with a maiden.
Cornwall is finally off after bowling 12 overs on the trot this morning. Omari Banks replaces him.
57ov [4 . . 1 1 .] 132/4: J Mohammed 37*, G Mohammed 9*. Gibran Mohammed drives gloriously through covers for 4.
56ov [. . . . . .] 126/4: J Mohammed 36*, G Mohammed 4*. Maiden by Cornwall again.
55ov [. . . . 2 2] 126/4: J Mohammed 36*, G Mohammed 4*.
54ov [. . . . . .] 122/4: J Mohammed 36*, G Mohammed 0*. Maiden by Cornwall.
53ov [. 1lb . . . .] 122/4: J Mohammed 36*, G Mohammed 0*.
52ov [1 . . . . .] 121/4: J Mohammed 36*, G Mohammed 0*. Just a single to Jason Mohammed. He's progressing but at a slow pace. T&T need another partnership to add more meat to their score.
51ov [. . 2 . . 1] 120/4: J Mohammed 36*, G Mohammed 0*.
50ov [. . W . . .] 117/4: J Mohammed 33*, G Mohammed 0*. Cornwall makes the breakthrough and takes his third wicket in the innings and the eight of the match.
WICKET: S Ganga c Richards b Cornwall 32. 117/4. Ganga drives loosely straight to Mali Richards at cover. They had not scored for four overs. The pressure got to them. Gibran Mohammed comes in.
49ov [. . . . . .] 117/3: J Mohammed 33*, S Ganga 32*.
Martin continues to Mohammed
48ov [. . . . . .] 117/3: J Mohammed 33*, S Ganga 32*. An over of appeals. Cornwall appealing virtually every delivery after rapping Sherwin Ganga on the pads.
47ov [. . . . . .] 117/3: J Mohammed 33*, S Ganga 32*. That's drinks.
Anthony Martin replaces Lionel Baker.
46ov [. . . . . .] 117/3: J Mohammed 33*, S Ganga 32*. Cornwall returns to producing maidens.
45ov [4 . . . . .] 117/3: J Mohammed 33*, S Ganga 32*. Steered past slip through the vacant third man region for four by Mohammed.
44ov [. . . . 4 .] 113/3: J Mohammed 29*, S Ganga 32*. Ganga edged just past Montcin Hodge at second slip. He was slow to react and by the time he did it had blown past him. He should have gotten hand to it.
43ov [. 1 . 1 . .] 109/3: J Mohammed 29*, S Ganga 28*.
42ov [1lb 1 . . nb . .] 107/3: J Mohammed 28*, S Ganga 27*.
41ov [. . . 1 . 2] 104/3: J Mohammed 27*, S Ganga 27*. The string of maidens is broken. Single to Ganga and two to Mohammed.
40ov [. . . . . .] 101/3: J Mohammed 25*, S Ganga 26*. Three maidens on the trot now.
39ov [. . . . . .] 101/3: J Mohammed 25*, S Ganga 26*. Disciplined bowling by Baker and Cornwall. On target, not allowing the batsmen any room.
38ov [. . . . . .] 101/3: J Mohammed 25*, S Ganga 26*. The batsmen continue to play cautiously against Cornwall. They are clearly looking to play him out.
37ov [3 . . . . .] 101/3: J Mohammed 25*, S Ganga 26*.
36ov [. . . . . 2] 98/3: J Mohammed 22*, S Ganga 26*. Sweetly guided through covers. No power just timing. Fielder pulls it back just inside the boundary and Ganga gets two. Just two runs short of the 100 now are T&T.
35ov [. . . . 1 1] 96/3: J Mohammed 22*, S Ganga 24*. First runs of the morning. Single to each batsman.
Lionel Baker will pick it up from this, the Arthur Bethell End.
34ov [. . . . . .] 94/3: J Mohammed 21*, S Ganga 23*. Quiet start. Ganga plays watchfully and respectfully to Cornwall.
Wilden Cornwall starts at the Vasbert Drakes End. Keep sending those emails to livewindies1@gmail.com We'll share them as best we could.
9:30am: A wonderful and good Sunday morning to you and welcome to Foursquare Oval for Day Three of the Trinidad & Tobago v Leeward Islands clash. The game is interestingly poised with T&T taking a lead of 69 runs with seven wickets remaining. After two days the advantage remains with the Leewards who first dismissed their opponents for 176 then took a slim 25 run first innings deficit when they made 201. However T&T are by no means out of it. If they can post a substantial total today on what still remains a flat track which is playing a tad slow they can press for a come-from-behind victory. Their main obstacle would be Wilden Cornwall who has so far taken seven of the 13 wickets to fall. They will need to nullify his seam movement if they are to put the Leewards under pressure. The Leewards though would be looking to get a few early wickets and dismiss the Trinis for a modest total and then chase it down. Their batting has been fragile though, especially since they are missing main man Runako Morton. It is another lovely morning for cricket. Play starts at 10am.
STUMPS, DAY 2: Trinidad & Tobago are 94 for 3 with an overall lead of 69. Seven wickets remain and they will need to maximise the returns from every batsmen to dangle the carrot to the Leeward Islanders as they press for an outright win. But at the moment it is the Leewards who are on top having dismissed the Trinis for 176 on day one and responding with 201. They did not manage a substantial lead but they did secure first innings points and if they can take down the Trinis for a modest second innings total they will certainly be confident of getting full points. At the wicket for the Trinis are Jason Mohammed on 21 and Sherwin Ganga on 23. The pair has added 46 for the 4th wicket. William Perkins made 29 early on. Wilden Cornwall has taken two wickets in the innings to secure seven in the match thus far. The other second innings wicket went to Anthony Martin. Do join us tomorrow for live scores and commentary from the third day's play. We commence at 10am.
33ov [. 1 . 1 . .] 94/3: J Mohammed 21*, S Ganga 23*. MIS-STUMPED! Ganga comes down the track to Powell's third delivery and is beaten but stand-in keeper Liburd could not gather to effect the stumping. Bad miss.
One Powell for another. Elsroy is off and Kieran is on. He doesn't get a bowl in First Class too often. He'll bowl off spin.
32ov [. . nb . . . .] 92/3: J Mohammed 20*, S Ganga 22*.
31ov [. . . 4 1 .] 91/3: J Mohammed 20*, S Ganga 22*. T&T lead by 61 runs now. Pulled through mid wicket for 4 by Ganga. Powell straying in line and length. He's got to bowl fuller and stay away from that leg stump line.

30ov [. . . . . .] 86/3: J Mohammed 20*, S Ganga 17*. Maiden by Cornwall, he's probing on and about that off stump but he's losing a bit of pace. It's late in the day and he did bowl a ten over spell previously. He must be tired.
Liburd is really hunting for a wicket. He knows he needs to break this partnership before close of play.
29ov [. . . 4 . .] 86/3: J Mohammed 20*, S Ganga 17*.
Bowling change. Martin off and Elsroy Powell is on to bowl medium pace.
28ov [. . . 4 4 1] 82/3: J Mohammed 20*, S Ganga 12*. Two long hops given the treatment by Sherwin Ganga. Pulled away for fours.
27ov [. 3 . 1 4 .] 73/3: J Mohammed 20*, S Ganga 4*. Mohammed pulls two short deliveries and gets a total of seven runs.
26ov [4 1 . . . .] 65/3: J Mohammed 13*, S Ganga 3*. Mohammed drives sweetly and with immaculate timing through the off side for four.
Two American Airlines planes and an Air Canada have just taken off from the Grantley Adams Int'l Airport beyond the hills on the southern end. Mohammed and Ganga are trying to get their partnership to take off but Banks continues. He's looking to keep them grounded.
25ov [. . . . 1 1] 60/3: J Mohammed 8*, S Ganga 3*. Single each to the two batsmen. The lead is now 35 with seven wickets in hand. If the Leewards can dislodge another two wickets before close of play they would have ended a second day in the driver's seat. T&T are battling away to prevent that though.
24ov [. . . . . .] 58/3: J Mohammed 7*, S Ganga 2*. And yet another maiden to take us into the final drinks break of the day. Mohammed is batting with increasing confidence while since Cornwall has been pulled from the attack both batsmen are batting with greater assurance.
23ov [. . . . . .] 58/3: J Mohammed 7*, S Ganga 2*. Maiden by Martin. 9-6-9-1. He's specialising in maidens here.
22ov [. 1 . . . .] 58/3: J Mohammed 7*, S Ganga 2*.
Cornwall is off. 10-0-27-2. Omari Banks is on.
21ov [. . . 1 . .] 57/3: J Mohammed 7*, S Ganga 1*.
20ov [. nb . . . . 4] 56/3: J Mohammed 7*, S Ganga 0*. Cornwall completes his 10th over on the trot.
19ov [1 . . . . .] 51/3: J Mohammed 3*, S Ganga 0*. Another single to Mohammed then Ganga spends the rest of the over playing defensively.
18ov [1 . . . . .] 50/3: J Mohammed 2*, S Ganga 0*. 50 up in the 18th over with a single to Mohammed.
Marathon spell from Cornwall continues. Mohammed to face.
17ov [. W . . . .] 49/3: J Mohammed 1*, S Ganga 0*. Wicket maiden for Martin. A most timely breakthrough for Leewards. This match is slipping one way and then the next more than a seesaw in high wind.
WICKET: D Ganga c&b Martin 15. 49/3. What a tame dismissal! He just tapped that back to Martin who is ecstatic. He's leaping with boyish delight everywhere. His teammates can't even catch him to congratulate him. One Ganga replaces the other. Sherwin in for Daren.
16ov [. . 2 1 . .] 49/2: D Ganga 15*, J Mohammed 1*. Narrow escape for Ganga again. Pops up in front him and Liburd scrambles from behind the stumps and dives but cannot make the catch. Why there are no fielders close in is a mystery.
15ov [. . . . . .] 46/2: D Ganga 12*, J Mohammed 1*. Loud appeal for lbw by Martin v Mohammed but it was clear, even from this distance that there were two noises there. Clearly there was some bat in it.
14ov [. . . . 1 .] 46/2: D Ganga 12*, J Mohammed 1*. Mohammed off the mark but Cornwall is still seaming it both ways and continues to cause problems. Now it is Jason Mohammed who is not sure how to handle it.
13ov [. . . . . .] 45/2: D Ganga 12*, J Mohammed 0*.Another aggressive maiden from Anthony Martin, the Antiguan.
12ov [4 . 2 . . W] 45/2: D Ganga 12*, J Mohammed 0*. Drinks are taken at the fall of the wicket. Cornwall now has 7 wickets in the match. He's the Leewards bowling trump. The Leewards may not be all that sad at losing their premier pacer in Gavin Tonge to Windies duties. Cornwall has been more than a mere able replacement.
WICKET: W Perkins c Rodgers b Cornwall 29. 45/2. Perkins drove, trying to pierce the cover region and Codville Rodgers springs to his right and takes a stunner. That's his most significant contribution to this match, Rodgers. He didn't do much with the bat, facing just four deliveries.
11ov [. . . . . .] 39/1: Perkins 23*, D Ganga 12*. Maiden over by Anthony Martin.
10ov [. . . . 1 .] 39/1: Perkins 23*, D Ganga 12*.
9ov [4 . . . 4 .] 38/1: Perkins 19*, D Ganga 10*. Perkins is hitting out. He cuts hard for four then goes over deep mid off. Powerful hit and well placed. No chance of the fielder - Lionel Baker - the catch that. Two bounces into the boundary for you.
8ov [2 . . . . .] 31/1: Perkins 15*, D Ganga 10*. Whatever Cornwall is doing out there the Trinis do not seem to have much of a clue. He is appealing almost every ball for an lbw. Ganga's not playing with certainty.
7ov [. . 1lb . . .] 29/1: Perkins 15*, D Ganga 10*. Ganga is having problems. He is struck on the back pad by Martin who is hopping like a kangaroo in his appeal. He was certain he had Ganga there and not very many would disagree but the man who matters - Umpire Brathwaite - turns down the appeal.
Bowling change. Baker is off and Anthony Martin comes in to deliver some leg spin.
6ov [. . . 1 . .] 28/1: Perkins 15*, D Ganga 10*. Ganga survives. He was caught in no man's land and the ball hit his bat and bounces over the stumps. Lucky. The deficit is gone though. T&T are 3 runs ahead.
5ov [1 3 . . . .] 27/1: Perkins 15*, D Ganga 9*. Ganga whips off the pads for 3 runs. Pulled in just inches from the mid wicket boundary.
4ov [2nb . . . . . .] 23/1: Perkins 14*, D Ganga 6*
3ov [4 . 4 . 2 .] 20/1: Perkins 14*, D Ganga 4*. Perkins hooks but is not in control. Too pacy from Baker and Perkins gets a top edge which flies away. One bounce into the boundary for four. Then follows up with a wristy flick off the pads for four. That was a fine shot.
2ov [. . W nb . 4 . ] 10/1: Perkins 4*, D Ganga 4*.
WICKET: J Guillen c wkt Liburd b Cornwall 1. 1/5. Second failure for Guillen. Again deceived by Cornwall's movement. The previous delivery came back into the left hander, this one went away and he reached for it. Guillen got an edge and stand in keeper Liburd dived to his left and came up with an excellent catch. Trinidad in early trouble and Cornwall continues to cause problems for the Trinis. He's picked up from where he left off in the first innings. Daren Ganga is the next batsman.
Wilden 'Polo' Cornwall who took a 5fer in the first innings will share the new ball with Baker.
1ov [. . 1 . . .] 1/0: Guillen 1*, Perkins 0*. Guillen off the mark and Perkins is showing clear signs of nervousness. He looks to be playing tip and run cricket. Very anxious to get off the mark he obviously is.
Lionel Baker takes the new ball as the senior paceman. No surprises there.

Back after the innings break. Justin Guillen and William Perkins open for T&T. They will look to have a better showing than in the first innings when Guillen made 7 and Perkins failed to get off the mark.
BOWLING: Kelly 5-2-7-0, Gabriel 5-1-15-1, Khan 22-4-52-3, Jaggernauth 21.5-3-79-4, S Ganga 12-3-21-2, Narine 6-2-10-0
TEA: So tea is taken a little early given the end of the Leeward innings. The Trinis finished off the Leeward Islanders but not before they took first innings points. So that was somewhat of an even session. The Leewards made 59 runs in the session for the loss of three wickets. The Trinis will commence their second innings in 20 minutes looking to quickly dispose of the 25 run deficit then build a substantial lead. There are seven sessions left so they will look to bat for about four of those sessions and try for an outright win since they have lost first innings points.
END OF INNINGS: Leewards are all out for 201 and take a slim 25 run lead. They also take first innings points. Their innings was held together by an unbeaten 54 from opener Montcin Hodge who carried his bat throughout the innings. He got some aid from Wilden Cornwall who made 34 and later on from Lionel Baker who played aggressively but responsibly so, for 16 to get them past the T&T total. Amit Jaggernauth led the T&T bowling with 4 for 79 and got support from Imran Khan who took 3 for 52 while Sherwin Ganga took 2 for 31. Shannon Gabriel, the debutant spinner took the other wicket.
78ov [. . 4 . W] 201 all out: Hodge 54*.
WICKET: A Martin c D Ganga b Jaggernauth 4. 201 all out. Martin goes for a big heave and skies it to mid wicket where Daren Ganga hauls in the simplest of lobbed catches.
77ov [. . . . . .] 197/9: Hodge 54*, Martin 0*.
76ov [1 1 . . W .] 197/9: Hodge 54*, Martin 0*.
WICKET: L Baker lbw Jaggernauth 17. 197/9. The ninth wicket goes down. Jaggernauth gets his third wicket.
75ov [. . . . . 1] 195/8: Hodge 53*, Baker 16*.
74ov [1 . . . . .] 194/8: Hodge 52*, Baker 16*.
73ov [. . . . . .] 193/8: Hodge 52*, Baker 15*.
72ov [4 . . 2 . .] 193/8: Hodge 52*, Baker 15*.
71ov [. . 1 . . 5p] 187/8: Hodge 52*, baker 9*. Five penalty runs as the ball bobbles away from the keeper and hits the helmet placed behind him.
70ov [. . . 1 1 .] 181/8: Hodge 52*, Baker 8*.
69ov [. . . . . .] 179/8: Hodge 51*, Baker 7*
68ov [. 4 . . 1 .] 179/8: Hodge 51*, Baker 7*.
67ov [. 1 1 . . 1] 174/8: Hodge 51*, Baker 2*
66ov [. 2 . . . .] 171/8: Hodge 50*, Baker 0*. Hodge 50 off 208 balls, 225 minutes and two fours.
65ov [. . . . . 1] 169/8: Hodge 47*, Baker 0*.
64ov [. . 1 . . .] 168/8: Hodge 47*, Baker 0*.
63ov [. . . . 4 1] 167/8: Hodge 46*, Baker 0*.
62ov [. . . . . .] 162/8: Hodge 41*, Baker 0*. Maiden by Imran Khan.
61ov [1 1lb . . . .] 162/8: Hodge 41*, Baker 0*. The battle is on here at Foursquare for first innings points. Leewards need 15 more runs, T&T need two wickets.
60ov [1 . 1 . . W] 160/8: Hodge 40*, Baker 0*. Successful over by Jaggernauth. First wicket after lunch.
WICKET: J Athanaze c Narine b Jaggernauth 17. 160/8. Lofted to long off who makes a composed running catch. Sunil Narine was a bit late in picking up the ball but remained calm and completes the task. Leewards under pressure to get the 16 runs needed for first innings, just two wickets left. Lionel Baker comes in.
59ov [. . . . . .] 158/7: Hodge 39*, Athanaze 16*. Gabriel produces another maiden over. He's putting a stop on the scoring. T&T looking to pry a wicket out here and keep Leewards from getting first innings points.
58ov [. . . . . 1] 158/7: Hodge 39*, Athanaze 16*. Single to Hodge.
57ov [. . . . . .] 157/7: Hodge 38*, Athanaze 16*. Maiden over by Gabriel who is testing the batsman's defences.
56ov [4 . 1 . . .] 157/7: Hodge 38*, Athanaze 16*. Lofted over mid on for four. Athanaze playing aggressively.
55ov [. . . . . .] 152/7: Hodge 38*, Athanaze 11*.
Bowling change. The debutant Shannon Gabriel is in. First time we've seen pace all day.
54ov [. . 2 . 2 .] 152/7: Hodge 38*, Athanaze 11*. The 150 comes up with a genuine edge which went through to the vacant first slip. And he repeats it again does Athanaze. Jaggernauth bowling without a slip isn't the smartest thing we've see this match.
53ov [. . . . . .] 148/7: Hodge 38*, Athanaze 7*. Maiden over by Imran Khan.
52ov [4 . . . . .] 148/7: Hodge 38*, Athanaze 7*. Lofted straight for a boundary by Athanaze.
Amit Jaggernauth
51ov [. . . . . 2] 144/7: Hodge 38*, Athanaze 3*. Worked into the on side by Hodge for a pair. First runs after lunch.
Back after lunch. Imran Khan takes up the attack. It's been pure spin all day and so it will continue after lunch.
LUNCH: The session belonged to the Trinidadians. They took six wickets to have the Leewards on the ropes and in danger of losing first innings even as they chase a lowly 176. Leewards are struggling on 142 for 7, 36 runs away from securing first innings points. The battle is on. This morning there were two wickets each for Amit Jaggernauth (2 for 52), Sherwin Ganga (2 for 11) and Imran Khan (2 for 39). Wilden Cornwall played an aggressive hand as he helped Montcin Hodge build a 50 run partnership but then threw his wicket away for 34. Hodge is still in on 36 and he holds the key. The tailenders must hang in with him if they are to get those critical first innings points.
50ov [. 2 . . . .] 142/7: Hodge 36*, Athanaze 3*. And that's lunch.
Narine off and Jaggernauth is back at the Vasbert Drakes End. This should be the last over before lunch.
49ov [. . W . . 1] 140/7: Hodge 36*, Athanaze 1*. Imran Khan gets this 24th wicket of the season. He now leads the wickets tally as he was previously tied on 22 with Nikita Miller but Miller is off with the Windies in Australia.
WICKET: E Powell c wkt Mohammed b Khan 12. 139/7. Powell goes onto the front foot and plays for a googly but it was a leg break and he gets an edge through to Gibran Mohammed who takes a low catch and flings the ball high in celebration. The Leewards are in real danger of losing first innings points. They really are missing Runako Morton and Devon Thomas who was propping up their top and lower orders respectively. They need another 38 runs to get first innings. Just three wickets remain. Athanaze is in next. Hodge is still resisting at the other end.
48ov [. . 3 . . .] 139/6: Hodge 36*, E Powell 12*. Edged past slip for 3. Powell moves into double figures.
Rawle R in Florida is asking who is keeping wicket for T&T since Ramdin is in Australia. It's Gibran Mohammed. He usually steps in when Ramdin is off on international duties.
47ov [. . 1 . . .] 136/6: Hodge 36*, E Powell 9*. Daren Ganga crowds the bat in the lead up to lunch. Forward short leg, silly mid off and two slips for the leg spinner. If you've ever seen Mahendra Nagamootoo bowl, you've seen Imran Khan. Same flat, fast type of leg spin which rushes onto the batsmen.
Imran Khan continues to Elsroy Powell.
46ov [. . 3b . . .] 135/6: Hodge 36*, E Powell 8*. Uncomfortable bounce down the leg side for keeper Gibran Mohammed and he fails to gather. The ball runs away for 3 byes.
45ov [. . . 1 nb . .] 132/6: Hodge 36*, E Powell 8*. The Leewards need another substantial partnership to get them up to first innings points.
44ov [. . 1 . 3 .] 130/6: Hodge 36*, E Powell 7*. Powell goes the aerial route straight but Narine leaps high in his follow through trying to get hand to it but just out of his reach. Good effort by the bowler but Powell gets 3.
43ov [. 4 . W 4 .] 126/5: Hodge 35*, E Powell 4*. Cornwall is demonstrating his value to the team. He goes down on his knee and bludgeons it through mid wicket for four. 50 run partnership up. But then Cornwall surrenders his wicket. He hangs his head in shame as he trudges off. Leewards continue to fall away after a brief recovery effort.
WICKET: W Cornwall c Narine b Khan 34. 122/6. Cornwall throws it away. He looks to go for a maximum but picks out - with perfect precision - Sunil Narine at long on. Narine did not have to move an inch. He simply stood there and waited for the ball to land in his hands.
42ov [. 1 . . . .] 118/5: Hodge 35*, Cornwall 29*. 46 run partnership between Hodge and Cornwall now. Just 4 away from a critical 50 run partnership which is getting them back on course after losing four wickets this morning.
41ov [. 1 . . 4 .] 117/5: Hodge 35*, Cornwall 28*. Worked off the legs by Hodge through mid wicket for 4. That followed a vociferous appeal for lbw. It was loud. I cracked the quiet morning like breaking glass in the dead of night. The Trinis really thought they had Hodge there. Imran Khan was most disappointed when it was turned down by Umpire Goland Greaves.
40ov [1 . 1 . . .] 112/5: Hodge 31*, Cornwall 27*. Two singles behind square off the first Narine over of off spin.
First sighting of Sunil Narine now. He takes over from Amit Jaggernauth at the Vasbert Drakes End.
39ov [. . . . . 1] 110/5: Hodge 30*, Cornwall 26*.
Suresh R from Trinidad is not happy with the T&T batting: "These boys are not doing our team any justice just throwing away their wickets. We are really missing guys like the Bravo brothers, Barath, Simmons, Ramdin and Pollard." But they are making up for it in the field. Email us your thoughts: livewindies1@gmail.com
38ov [. . 6 1 1 .] 109/5: Hodge 29*, Cornwall 26*. Cornwall goes over cow corner. That had more muscle and measure in it. He just wanted to ensure that he cleared the fence and that he did.
37ov [1 2 . . . .] 101/5: Hodge 28*, Cornwall 20*. 100 up. Useful partnership being built between Hodge and Cornwall.
36ov [1 . 1 . 2 1] 97/5: Hodge 26*, Cornwall 19*.
35ov [. . 4 1 . .] 92/5: Hodge 25*, Cornwall 15*.
Bowling change. It's a bowling switch really. Sherwin Ganga comes off and Imran Khan comes back.
34ov [. . . . . .] 87/5: Hodge 25*. Cornwall 10*. Maiden over by Jaggernauth. Hodge playing responsibly. He's been in that mode from the inception.
Jaggernauth to Hodge.
33ov [. 1 1 . . .] 87/5: Hodge 25*, Cornwall 10*.
Back after drinks.
32ov [. . 4 . 1 1] 85/5: Hodge 23*, Cornwall 10*. Cut away by Cornwall for four. That was the shot of the morning. That's drinks.
31ov [. . . . 2 .] 79/5: Hodge 22*, Cornwall 5*.
30ov [1 . 1 . . 1] 77/5: Hodge 22*, Cornwall 3*.
29ov [W W . . . 2] 74/5: Hodge 20*, Cornwall 2*. Another over in which two wickets are had. The Trinis take the ascendency in this session already. Cornwall off the mark with a dangerous cut shot. Goes back and gives himself room and cuts that off middle stump. Gets 2.
Cornwall is the new batsman and he negotiates the first delivery by coming onto the front foot and smothering the spin. No hat trick for Sherwin Ganga.
WICKET: S Liburd c Guillen b S Ganga. 72/5. First ball! Liburd lunges at the ball with rock hard hands and it goes low to Guillen under the bat who is scrambles low and picks off a sizzling catch. My word the Leewards are collapsing in a heap here. Two wickets for Sherwin Ganga now. He's on a hat trick! What do we know. Daren Ganga is a genius. This bowling change seemed insular, it has turned out to be pure magic.
WICKET: O Banks c Guillen b S Ganga 3. 72/4. Banks prods forward and the ball lobs to Guillen at bat pad. Umpire Barthwaite raises the dreaded finger but Banks spends a long time at the crease before departing. He walks in circles before going off. He's most unhappy with that decision is Banks. Leewards in serious trouble here. Four wickets down and the Trinis are on top this morning. Sherwin Ganga gets the wicket and captain Steve Liburd walks out.
28ov [. 1 . 1 1 .] 72/3: Hodge 19*, Banks 3*.
Jaggernauth continues to Banks.
27ov [. . . 1 1 ] 69/3: Hodge 18*, Banks 1*. Hodge is playing Sherwin Ganga with all the ease and comfort in the world. No threat whatsoever. Sherwin is bowling gun-barrell-straight here. Even decent batsmen won't be too bothered by this. This bowling change really is incomprehensible. Imran Khan was bowling well and causing Hodge in particular trouble with his pacy leg spin.
26ov [. . . . . .] 67/3: Hodge 18*, Banks 0*. Maiden to Jaggernauth but Daren Ganga is letting him down by removing Imran Khan at the other end. The batsmen will surely prefer facing Sherwin Ganga as opposed to the tournament's leading wicket taker.
25ov [. . . . 2 ] 67/3: Hodge 18*, Banks 0*. Hodges turns a delivery on the leg stump behind square and collects a comfortable 2.
Bowling change. Imran Khan off. Sherwin Ganga is on. Difficult to follow Daren Ganga's thinking here. Not sure there was any reason to remove Khan. None whatsoever.
24ov [W . 2 . W .] 65/3: Hodge 16*, Banks 0*. Jaggernauth does the business. Two critical blows to get the Trini's off to a rollicking start this morning. Powell set it up though, rather than exercising some prudence, he was blasting away great guns. His certainty was always in doubt and Rodgers looked too tentative and suspect early on.
New batsman is Omari Banks who replaces Codville Rodgers who faced just four balls before perishing to a catch at bat pad. It was a bit incredulous. He pushed the ball straight into the hands of Justin Guillen.
WICKET: C Rodgers c Guillen b Jaggernauth 2. 65/3.
WICKET: K Powell c wkt Mohammed b Jaggernauth 38. 63/2. Powell flashes, gets an outside edge and Mohammed takes a fine catch behind the stumps. It was a clearly decipherable edge and Mohammed hung on.
23ov [1 2 . 1 . .] 62/1: Hodge 16*, Powell 36*.
22ov [. . 3 . . 1] 59/1: Hodge 14*, Powell 35*. Powell edged the third ball narrowly wide of slip. He's living by the sword here. It runs away to the third man region and he adds three as he quickly moves towards a fifty but he's living a fortuitous life.
Remember to send us your thoughts and comments on this game via email. livewindies1@gmail.com
22ov [. . 3 . . 1] 59/1: Hodge 14*, Powell 35*. Powell edged the third ball narrowly wide of slip. He's living by the sword here. It runs away to the third man region and he adds three as he quickly moves towards a fifty but he's living a fortuitous life.
Remember to send us your thoughts and comments on this game via email. livewindies1@gmail.com
21ov [. . . . . .] 55/1: Hodge 13*, Powell 32*. Imran Khan beginning to put the shackles on Montcin Hodge. He has scored just one run from the last 12 deliveries he faced from Khan.
20ov [. . 1 . . 2] 55/1: Hodge 13*, Powell 32*. Powell tucks one behind square and scampers through for two. Good running.
19ov [. . . . . 1] 52/1: Hodge 12*, Powell 30*. Hodge quietly plays through that Imran Khan over and takes a single from the last delivery. He is markedly more sedate than Powell who has commenced this morning as though he's looking for a 50 in 30 minutes.
18ov [. . 1 4 . .] 51/1: Hodge 11*, Powell 30*. Fifty up with another powerful cover drive for four by Powell who is playing with decided aggression this morning.
17ov [. . 4 . . .] 46/1: Hodge 10*, Powell 26*. Driven powerfully through covers for 4.
16ov [. 4 . . . 1] 42/1: Hodge 10*, Powell 22*. Driven between mid off and extra cover by Powell for 4.
15ov [. . . . . . .] 37/1: Hodge 10*, Powell 17*. DROPPED. Edged the last ball, got the edge of the keeper's glove and Jaggernauth spills it. That was regulation. Should have been taken. Two chances in two balls.
14ov [. . 1lb 2 . 4] 37/1: Hodge 10*, Powell 17*. Near shave for Powell who got an outside edge looking to play across the line. Fell inches short of Richard Kelly at gully. Bangs the next delivery over Jaggernauth's head for four.
Welcome to Foursqaure Oval for day two of Trinidad & Tobago v Leeward Islands. Yesterday Wilden Cornwall destroyed T&T with a five wicket haul as they only mustered 176 with half centuries from Imran Khan and Daren Ganga. The Leewards got to 30/1 at close of play and will resume with Kieran Powell on 11 and Montcin Hodge on 10. Ganga will start with his spin twins, Amit Jaggernauth at the Vasbert Drakes End and Imran Khan at the Arthur Bethell End.
STUMPS, DAY 1: Close of play at Foursquare Oval, Leewards are 30 for 1, 146 runs behind T&T's 176 with nine wickets in hand. It was a poor effort with the bat by T&T. The Leewards bowlers dominated led by a 5fer by medium pacer Wilden Cornwall and 2 for 44 by leg spinner Anthony Martin.
13ov [. nb . . . w . .] 30/1: Hodge 9*, Powell 11*. Imran Khan ends the day's proceedings with the 13th over.
12ov [. . . . . .] 28/1: Hodge 9*, Powell 11*. Maiden by Jaggernauth. No major problems for Powell.
Gabriel is off and Amit Jaggernauth is on. Just two overs left in the day.
11ov [. 1 1 . . .] 28/1: Hodge 9*, Powell 11*.
10ov [. . 1 . . .] 26/1: Hodge 8*, Powell 10*. Just a run from the Gabriel over. And now spin. Imran Khan to bowl the next over, replacing Richard Kelly.
9ov [. . 1 . nb . .] 25/1: Hodge 7*, Powell 10*. Two runs from the over, a single and a no ball. Surprisingly no sign of spin yet.
8ov [. . . . . 4] 23/1: Hodge 6*, K Powell 10*. Straight drive. Well times. Sweetly timed. Goes away for 4. It was the first delivery Powell was made to play in the innings.
7ov [. . . . . .] 19/1: Hodge 6*, K Powell 6*. Maiden by Kelly.
6ov [. . 3 2 4 .] 19/1: Hodge 6*, K Powell 6*. Powerful cover drive by Powell. Fielder from mid off simply retrieves. Gabriel's run up is all rocking and brisk swaying then as he gets into his delivery stride his left arm flings skywards then drops and the ball rushes out of his right arm. He looks a bit raw, needs some refining work perhaps but he has something to work with.
5ov [. . . 2 . 1] 10/1: Hodge 3*, K Powell 0*. Hodge is off the mark with a neat tuck past square leg. His first run in his last three innings. Powell still on zero.
4ov [. . . . W .] 7/1: Hodge 0*, K Powell 0*. Gabriel's run up and action is all business. Not smooth but busy. He looks like he is fighting his way to the crease then unfurls those powerful arms and unleashes the ball. He has a wonderful start with the first Leewards wicket. That'll do his confidence a world of good.
WICKET: M Richards c J Mohammed b Gabriel 2. 7/1. Mali Richards flashes and edges between first and second slip. Jason Mohammed at second slip dives low to his right and cleans up a stinger. That was a lovely catch. He kept his eyes on it all the way. Gabriel gets his first wicket in First Class cricket. Out of touch Kieron Powell is in.
3ov [. . . nb . . 1] 7/0: Hodge 0*, Richards 2*. Mali Richards gets another single.
2ov [. 1 . . . 4lb] 5/0. Hodge 0*, Richards 1*. Richards off the mark and Hodge will be anxious not to make 3 ducks in a row. He got a pair in the last game as did his opening partner Kieran Powell. Gabriel has some pace in him.
Shannon Gabriel bowls on debut at the Vasbert Drakes End.
1ov [. . . . . .] 0/0: Hodge 0*, Richards 0*. DROPPED! Hodge uncertain to Kelly and the outside edge is taken. It flies to Perkins in the gully. It was a sharp chance and he floors it. It could easily have been one for none there.
Leewards have 13 overs to negotiate. Kieran Powell has been demoted from the opening slot. In fact he is only in the team because of the injury to Devon Thomas. Earlier we had said that it was the other Powell (Elsroy) who was in for Thomas but it has been clarified by the team management that Elsroy was initially slated to play and Kieran would have sat out. Montcin Hodge and Mali Richards to open. Hodge to face first. Kelly with the new cherry.
END OF INNINGS: T&T 176 all out. Top score of 53 from Imran Khan and supported with 51 by captain Daren Ganga. 5 for 27 for the old veteran medium pace all rounder Wilden Cornwall who has lost some pace but upped his stock in the seam movement department. 3 for 44 for leggie Anthony Martin and Omari Banks took 2 for 46.
75ov [. . 4 . 1 W ] 176 all out: Jaggernauth 14*. Jaggernauth cuts past point for 4. Good aggressive shot. It is what is needed at this time. But it is all over at the end of the over when Martin completes his 3 for 44. 5 for 27 for Wilden Cornwall who broke the T&T batting with some fine seam bowling which caused the batsmen more trouble than they had anticipated. This is a way below par score by the Trinis but make no mistake about it, they have spin bowling which can cause horrors for the out-of-form Leewards batsmen who are missing key man Runako Morton and Devon Thomas - who is one of only three Leewards batsmen to go past 50 this season - is out injured. Their batsmen will have to step up. They have an ideal score here to take first innings points but it will be no cake walk. They will be made to work hard and must put their heads down and bat sensibly.
WICKET: S Gabriel lbw 0. 176 all out. Gabriel goes lbw to Martin playing back to a delivery which kept a tad low. Umpire Greaves did not even have to think about that. It was dead. Good as gone was Gabriel.
74ov [. . W . . .] 171/9: Jaggernauth 9*, Gabriel 0*. Umpires calls over and Cornwall - with a smile as broad as Barbados - takes his hat and strolls to square leg with a pep in his step. And why not? He's got a 5fer after not getting a game previously.
WICKET: R Kelly c wkt Liburd b Cornwall 19. 171/9. Cornwall takes a 5fer! Well bowled, thoroughly deserving. Kelly simply prodded about for much too long when he should have given it a go. Edges to the keeper. Shannon Gabriel strides to the crease on debut. He's a big lad. Strongly built. Custom made for fast bowling it seems. Let's see what he can do with the bat. That he comes at 11 does not inspire much confidence. Cornwall has 5 for 27.
73ov [1 . . 2 . 2] 171/8: Kelly 19*, Jaggernauth 9*. Jaggernauth is working like a housewife after the kids are off to school. He's sweeping at everything from Martin and gets four runs through two doubles.
72ov [1 . . . . .] 166/8: Kelly 18*, Jaggernauth 5*.
71ov [. . 1 . . 1] 165/8: Kelly 17*, Jaggernauth 5*. Kelly is willing Jaggernauth to hang in with him. Constant conversations between the two. Jaggy can stick around, he's capable enough of that and his bat is broad in defense while nurdling the odd single. And Kelly certainly can wield the bat for a few lusty blows to bulk up the score.
70ov [. . . . . .] 163/8: Kelly 16*, Jaggernauth 4*. Maiden by Cornwall.
The Leewards are in charge of this match but will their batting stand up without Runako Morton who has been scoring, almost singlehandedly, all their runs thus far. He is off with the Windies so which of the Leeward Islanders will take up the mantle? 163 is no substantial score but the Trinis will still fancy their chances given the Leewards struggle with the bat. Their openers - Kieran Powell and Montcin Hodge - made 4 ducks against Jamaica and that must be some record. They have made several changes, Codville Rodgers coming in, Mali Richards too. Liburd will need to get his first substantial score of the series. His highest so far is 27 and he's only made 49 runs all season long. As captain he needs to step up. The Trini spin trio will be keen to have a go and among them is a certain Imran Khan who has 22 wickets this season. He's in top shape with the ball and his confidence will be heightened with that critical half century.
69ov [. 4 . . . .] 163/8: Kelly 16*, Jaggernuth 4*. Jaggernauth drives hard and gets an edge past slip. Off the mark with a boundary.
68ov [. . . . . .] 159/8: Kelly 16*, Jaggernauth 0*.
67ov [1 . . 2 . W] 159/8: Kelly 16*, Jaggernauth 0*.
WICKET: S Narine c&b Martin 2. 159/8. Narine now perishes as Martin picks up his 3rd wicket. Amit Jaggernauth walks out to join Kelly. T&T continue to fold like a dry leaf in fire.
66ov [. . W . . nb .] 155/7: Kelly 15*, Narine 0*. Oh no! Cornwall could have had a 5fer. Sunil Narine edges to slip but it was a no ball! Cornwall has no one to blame but himself for overstepping.
WICKET: I Khan c Banks b Cornwall 53. 155/7. Khan the Trini top scorer cuts hard and high. He must have thought that will fly away to the boundary. No such luck. The palm tree tall Banks is at gully. That was a blistering catch. It was hit hard and Banks took it above his head. It was going at such a pace that the momentum of the ball forced Banks to stumble backwards but there was no chance of him dropping it. He was in such control that he safely avoided stepping on his sunglasses which were on his cap and fell off as he took the catch. Cornwall has 4 and is looking for a 5fer now. Sunil Narine is the new batsman.