Powergen wins in controversal fashion at Gilbert Park

Ian Wason

Sport Correspondent

ian1wason60@gmail

A ‘Batting Obstruction’ dismissal, rare in the modern game, was part of Bess Motors Marchin Patriots’ undoing at Gilbert Park on Wednesday evening, as Powergen secured a ticket to the final of the Trinidad and Tobago Midweek 30 overs competition.

Out of Favour Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Kevin Sinclair played the ball back to Powergen’s spinner Avinash Mahabirsingh, who fielded it, and then threw it back to the wicketkeeper Daniel Williams, but Sinclair played the ball which was thrown into his path and that sparked a controversary in the 13th over when the fielding team appealled to the umpire for obstruction and his dismissal.

The situation created a delay in the game when the umpires consulted, and then the dreaded finger was raised for Sinclair’s dismissal. He seemed confused as he pleaded innocence, before he departed. That wicket put Marchin Patriots at 92 for five, chasing 166 in 23 overs.

The evening started with the Marchin Patriots getting a 29-run partnership between the in-form Evin Lewis, who just scored a century against the same opponents on Sunday in the Two-Day League competition, and Kamil Pooran.

Powergen rejoiced at 29 for one when Lewis, who had the ability to win the match in under one hour, was caught by Uthman Muhammad from another Lewis, Shaaron Lewis’s delivery. The former Trinbago Knight Riders left-arm pacer got the all-important wicket of his namesake for 20. Lewis (Shaaron) finished with two for 34.

Teshawn Castro and Pooran added a further 36 runs after Castro gave Muhammad his first wicket when he played a shot towards Navin Bidaisee, who obliged to catch.

The Penal Giants continued to press on with further wickets, Crystian Thurton (4), run out, and Pooran for 31, giving Muhammed his second wicket; the tall former Red Force bowler finished with two for 30 as Patriots were 87 for four in 11.2 overs.

After Sinclair’s unfortunate dismissal at 92 for five, the Patriots innings folded faster than Muhammad’s run up to the wicket. They lost the next five wickets for 16 runs and were all out for 111 in 18.4 overs, going under to Powergen by 55 runs.

It was the second time in three days Powergen got the better of the Patriots as they got first innings points to remain top of the Two-Day competition.

On Tuesday, Cephas Cooper scored 49, Navin Bisaisee scored 37 and Dejourn Charles scored 30 as Powergen recorded 165 for 5 on Day One.

They will face Victoria in the final of the TTCB Weekday 30 Overs Tournament. The Barrackpore team beat Queen’s Park by four wickets at the Inshan Ali Park on Wednesday.

Summarised Scores

At Gilbert Park

Powergen 165 /5 (23 overs) (Cephas Cooper 49; Navin Bidaisee 37; Dejourn Charles 30; Rivaldo Ramlogan 2-12; Kastri Singh 2-21) vs

Bess Motors Marchin Patriots 111 (13.4 overs)(Kamil Pooran 31; Evin Lewis 20; Teshawn Castro 20; Avinash Mahabirsingh 2-7; Navin Bidaisee 2-24). Results – Powergen won by 54 runs.

At Inshan Ali Park

Queen’s Park 91 /4 (10.5 overs) (Kadeem Alleyne 31; Duane Charles 2-29) vs Victoria 92 /6 (10.5 overs) (Leonardo Julien 43*; Jyd Goolie 2-14). Results – Victoria won by 4 wickets.