Ganga hits another 100

By IRVING WARD and FORBES PERSAUD

Monday, April 27, 1998


NATIONAL cricketer Daren Ganga slammed a superb unbeaten century (101 n.o.) to steer Sim's Central Sports to a first innings lead over the Defence Force at the end of the first day's play in the fifth round of matches in the Carib National League Division One series at Chaguanas yesterday.

Ganga, who scored his maiden first-class century (138) in Trinidad and Tobago's last President's Cup game against Barbados at Guaracara Park earlier this month, dominated his team's innings, stroking sixteen elegant boundaries in getting to the landmark. It saw Sim's to 159 for two wickets in reply to the Army's meagre total of 97.

Current league leaders Queen's Park also ended the day in a comfortable position against Clarke Road, closing on 238-for eight thanks to a fine half-century from national opener Suruj Ragoonath (66).

Not to be outdone, second-placed Moosai Sports were also in control at Tunapuna, closing the day on 258 for seven against Alescon Comets. However Caroni Wanderers struggled to reach 183 for nine against Santa Cruz at Gilbert Park.

At Presentation College: Guyanese left-arm spinner Vickram Ramoutar mesmerised the Army batsmen, returning figures of 5/33 as the visitors were skittled out three runs short of the century mark.

The only batsman to show any resistance was former national youth player Halsey Netto who hit 43.

At Tunapuna: A defiant half-century from middle-order batsman Sanjay Dan steered Moosai's to a respectable score at close of play after it seemed that West Indies leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine would run through the batting.

After Ramnarine's brother, left-arm medium pacer Jairam, got the early wicket of James Dodds (4) with the score on just five, Dinanath accounted for three more wickets to leave the home team precariously placed at 102-for four.

The right-arm leg-spinner first removed the other opener Neil Persad (26), easily caught by wicket-keeper Mark Ramkissoon, then drew both Moosai's skipper Aneil Rajah (46) and Alister Pierre (14) out of the crease to give Ramkissoon easy stumping chances.

But Ricky Toussaint then shared in two fruitful partnerships of 55 with Keno Mason (35) and 43 with Dan to lift the home team's spirits once again.

After Toussaint, playing with a broken finger on the right hand, was bowled by Ramnarine (J) four runs short of his half-century with the score on 200 for six, Dan took over.

He added another 58 runs with former West Indies pacer Tony Gray (26 n.o.) to lead his team well past the 200 mark. The stocky left-hander brought up his 50, which included eight fours in 162 minutes, in fine style as well, pulling medium pacer Rishie Rajkumar to the square-leg boundary for four. But Rajkumar would get his revenge two balls later as Dan, going for another big hit, only found the waiting hands of Rampersad.

SCORES

At Chaguanas: Defence Force 97 (H.Netto 43, V.Ramoutar 5/33, R.Jaggernauth 2/13, P. Ramnath 2/12) v Sims Central Sports 159 for 2 (D.Ganga 101 n.o., M. Bodoe 30 n.o.)

At Gilbert Park: Caroni Wanderers 183 for 8 (R.Mangalie 48, N.Bedeshi 34, C.Yorke 3/41, N.Ashby 3/69) v Santa Cruz Sports

At Wilson Road: QPCC 238 for 8 (S.Ragoonath 66, E.Williams 40, I.Jan 37, M.Persad 4/68) v Clarke Road

At Honeymoon Park: Moosai's 258 for 7 (S.Dan 50, A.Rajah 46, R.Toussaint 46, K.Mason 35, D. Ramnarine 3/61) v Alescon Comet

Div 2:

At Inshan Ali Park: Mayo Valley Boys 97 (D. Krishna 5/24, K. Lalchan 3/34) v Clico Preysal 136 for 3 (S.Mohammed 70 n.o.)


Source: The Express (Trinidad)

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Date-stamped : 07 Oct1998 - 04:17