Promising teenage batsman Nicholas Pooran blasted an unbeaten 130 and Rayad Emrit struck 72 before retiring, as the three-day trial match between Jason Mohammed’s XI and Yannick Ottley’s XI petered out into a tame draw at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, yesterday.
Replying to Mohammed XI’s 276, Ottley’s XI resumed at 228-5, and after losing Imran Khan (1) and Ottley (15), Pooran and Emrit took over in an enterprising partnership that yielded 154 runs, before Emrit retired. Their respective innings inspired their team to 441.
Mohammmed’s team reached 159 for six in their second turn at the crease, with Daron Cruickshank blasting his way to 78.
Emrit, who is returning from an injured shoulder, showed no traces of difficulties, playing some big shots which included seven fours and three sixes. He and Pooran added 50 in just 77 deliveries.
Pooran, in particular, looked in good form, starting slowly before blasting his way to 50 from just 58 balls. His hundred came off 96 balls and he struck 11 fours and four sixes in his stay at the crease.
Shannon Gabriel who took 3-72 was the best bowler while Amit Jaggernauth took 2-58.
There was a wicket each for Derone Davis, Kissondath Magram, Yannic Cariah and Ricky Jaipaul.
In their second turn at the crease, Mohammed’s XI lost Jeremy Solozano (22), Nicholas Sookdeosingh (22) and Justin Guillen (12) before Cruickshank and Steven Katwaroo (25 not out) steadied the innings in a partnership of 104.
Cruickshank’s knock included 10 fours and three sixes. His 50 came off just 51 balls.
Sherwin Ganga took 2-25.
The team is preparing for the Super50 series which will be contested here in Trinidad later this month.
SCORES
JASON MOHAMMED XI 276 & 159-6 (D. Cruickshank 78, S. Katwarroo 25 not out) OTTLEY’S XI 441 (N. Pooran 130 not out, R Emrit 72 ret., S Gabreil 3-72, A Jaggernauth 2-58)
guardian.co.tt/sport/2014-01-12/pooran-emrit-show-trial-form
