Central Zone is closing in on a spot in the final of the BGTT Under-15 InterZone competition thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Emilio Gopaul yesterday in their semifinal clash against North at the Caroni Savannah.
Bowling first, off-spinner Gopaul grabbed 3/8 to help restrict North to a paltry 32 all out. Gopaul was ably supported by Joel Sutherland (3/5) and Siba Batoosingh (2/6).
In Central's turn at the crease, Gopaul struck an unbeaten 36 to guide his team to 130/2 off their allotted 30 overs.
Batoosingh also contributed a valuable 27 to the total, giving them a lead of 98 runs. North closed the day on 27/2 in their second innings, still 71 runs behind.
Over at Honeymoon Park in the other semifinal, East were in control against the South Zone. Despite 34 from Aaron Sinanan, South were dismissed for only 100 when sent in to bat.
The off-spin bowling of Aaron Mairam did the damage, along with Jonathan Hosein. Mairam snatched 3/23, while Hosein took 3/13.
In reply, East scored at almost five runs an over, getting to 149/5 behind a half-century (58) from Keegan Simmons. Sachin Seecharan and Nathaniel McDavid also added some runs, scoring 24 apiece.
Adrian Paharry was the pick of the bowlers for South, taking 3/42.
At stumps, South were struggling in their second innings on 55/5, with a slim six-run lead. Mairam was up to his tricks again, grabbing 2/9.
scores
At Caroni Savannah: North 32 (Joel Sutherland 3/5, Emilio Gopaul 3/8, Siba Batoosingh 2/6) and 27/2 vs Central 130/2 (Gopaul 36 n.o., Batoosingh 27)
At Honeymoon Park: South 100 (Aaron Sinanan 34, Calvin Baliramsingh 16, Aaron Mairam 3/23, Jonathan Hosein 3/13) and 55/5 (Adrian Paharry 17, Simmion Ramjattan 10, Mairam 2/9) vs East 149/5 (Keegan Simmons 58, Sachin Seecharan 24, Nathaniel McDavid 24, Paharry 3/42)
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