Barath cracks patient 54 for Clarke Road

West Indies batsman Adrian Barath hit a four off the last ball of the innings to carry FC Clarke Road to an eight-wicket win over Aranguez in the T&TCB Premiership Twenty20 Cricket Festival at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, on Tuesday. Barath finished unbeaten on 54 (55) to take the Man-of-the Match award and secure his team a place in the quarterfinals, where they will meet T&TCB Twenty20 Championship winners UTT on Friday.

Batting first, Aranguez were given a bright start by Earnil Ryan (45 off 36) and Kellon Carmichael (29 off 39), who shared an 86-run second wicket partnership after Andrew Lyght (0) was dismissed in the first over. Deon Ferrier later chipped in with an unbeaten 22 off 12 balls as they finished on 144 for seven.
Left arm orthodox spinner Mahadeo Moonesar (4–0–27–3) and seamer Krishmar Santokie (4–0–15–1) each bowled with distinction, though Clarke Road were set back by their 26 extras, which included 16 leg byes and ten wides.

In reply, Barath started things off with a 70-run opening partnership with Tishan Maharaj (40 off 30) in under ten overs and then added a further 71 with number three Danza Hyatt (44 off 30). Despite keeping wickets in hand, Clarke Road were kept in check by some disciplined bowling by Nishal Guyadeen (4–0–23–2) and Deon Ferrier (4–0–16–0). Needing four off the last over, they managed three off the first five balls before Barath drove the last behind square for his sixth boundary.

Scores

Aranguez Innings
A Lyght b Santokie    0
K Carmichael run out (Pooran)    29
E Ryan c Persad b Gooljar    45
M Browne c Santokie b Pooran    20
D Ferrier not out    22
R Parsan b Moonesar    0
K Pierre b Moonesar    0
F Mohammed c Barath Moonesar    2
V Mohan not out    0
Extras (16lb, 10w)    26
Total (7 wickets, 20 overs)    144
Fall of Wickets: 2, 88, 96, 129, 137, 137, 140.
Bowling: Krishmar Santokie 4–0–15–1, Mahadeo Moonesar 4–0–27–3, Mukesh Persad 3–0–24–0, Sanjiv Gooljar 4–0–22–1, Derone Davis 1–0–10–0, Homchand Pooran 4–0–30–1

FC Clarke Road Innings (Target 145)
Adrian Barath not out    54
T Maraj b Guyadeen    40
D Hyatt c Carmichael b Guyadeen    44
H Pooran not out    3
Extras (3lb, 4w)    7
Total (2 wickets, 20 overs)    148
Fall of Wickets: 70, 141.
Bowling: Kelon Carmichael 3–0–19–0, Kevon Pierre 3–0–32–0, Vikash Mohan 4–0–31–0, Nishal Guyadeen 4–0–23–2, Earnil Ryan 2–0–24–0, Deon Ferrier 4–0–16–0.

Clarke Road won by eight wickets.
Man-of-the-Match: Adrian Barath.