The unpredictable nature of T20 cricket was evident last evening as Preysal, a team demoted this season, defeated Premiership club T&TEC by seven runs in a thrilling encounter at the TTCB Domestic T20 cricket series at Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre. After compiling a competitive 99 for five off 11 overs in their rain-affected innings, Preysal off-spinner Ryan Austin grabbed 4/19 to restrict the Electricity Boys to 92 for nine off their 11 overs. Austin, who plays for Barbados in regional cricket, was born in Tacarigua and is playing for Preysal as a national and not a foreign-based player. The right arm off-spinner sent back danger men Jamaican Xavier Marshall (5) and Guyanese Stephen Jacobs (15) in his four victims.
However, his two crucial blows in the penultimate over with T&TEC needing 26 runs, give his side the victory in the end. Earlier, Preysal had to thank the dangerous opener Kjorn Ottley as he cut and pulled to 48 off 31 balls to lead the way. His innings included two sixes and four fours. Fellow opener Trevon Griffith set the tone by scoring 12 off just six balls before his departure and Ottley continued the beating. Ottley and his brother skipper Yannick Ottley posted 51 runs for the second wicket to lead their team into good position. Yannick made 13 off 13 balls and his fellow West Indies Under-19 player Yannic Carriah carved an unbeaten 15 off nine balls including a six to take the eventual score to 99 for five and set T&TEC a run target off nine per over to take the win. At the end of the game, man of the match Austin said he was playing with a youthful team and one of his roles was to instil the confidence in them and make them believe that they could win matches.
Scores: Preysal 99 for 5 (11ovs)(Kjorn Ottley 48, Yannic Carriah 15no, Yannick Ottley 13, Rayad Emrit 1/14, Ancil Bhaggan 1/15, Richard Kelly 1/13) vs T&TEC 92/9 (20ovs)(Kwesi Blackburn 16, Stephen Jacobs 15, Rayad Emrit 14, Ryan Austin 4/19) – Preysal won by 7 runs. Man of the match: Ryan Austin.
