Wickets tumble as T&T crushes Jamaica by 145 runs

Nineteen wickets fell yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval on a rain affected day, which saw Imran Khan and Marlon Richards guide T&T to a crushing 145-run win over Jamaica in three days in the regional four-day tournament.



Fast bowler Richards and leg spinner Khan both took three wickets to bundle the Jamaicans out for 98, chasing 244 for victory. Earlier, resuming on 94/1 in the second innings, T&T faltered and was skittled out for 179, an overall lead of 243 runs.



In its run chase, Jamaica was in early trouble on 20/2 when rain came to delay the match for more than two hours. The sun came out in all its glory and play finally resumed at 4 pm. Jamaica was soon hoping for more rain, as Richards dismissed Jermaine Blackwood for a duck, the second ball after the resumption. Blackwood found an edge and Evin Lewis held on to a low catch at third slip.



In Richards’ next over, captain Tamar Lambert (0) was the fast bowler’s next victim. Lambert seemed to be surprised by the bounce and found the edge to give wicket-keeper Stephen Katwaroo a simple catch. The score was now 20/4 and Richards had impressive figures of 2-1-3-3.



After Shannon Gabriel took the wicket of Nkrumah Bonner for 10, T&T sensed victory as Jamaica was reduced to 28/5. A 24-run stand between Carlton Baugh and Andre McCarthy took Jamaica past 50. But with the score on 52, Khan took over, taking the wicket of Baugh. Khan snatched two of the remaining four wickets to dismiss Jamaica 145 runs short of the target. Richards ended with figures of 7-1-15-3, while Khan finished with 8.3-1-22-3. McCarthy offered some resistance, top scoring with 42.



Earlier, T&T lost quick wickets, as the score went from 94/1 overnight to 99/5. Khan then demonstrated his all-round ability, cracking an aggressive unbeaten 56 (63 balls) to help T&T to a respectable 179. Right-handed Khan struck seven fours and one six.