Captain Kirstan Kallicharan's two half centuries yesterday led the T&T Invitational Under-16 into the final of the Sir Don Bradman Foundation Youth Series in Australia, after back-to-back wins.
In the first match against India U-16, Kallicharan struck 54 off 48 balls, and was ably supported by Amir Jangoo, who hit an unbeaten 37 as T&T easily got to its target of 121/2. Kallicahran and Jangoo joined forces when T&T was on 15/2.Earlier, the Indians were at a sea as it was reduced to 120/7 as Emilo Gopaul (2/12), Jonathan Bootan (1/29) and Bryan Boodram (1/18) showed some form.
In T&T's second encounter, chasing a challenging 159 for victory, T&T was reduced to 58/3, but Kallicahran came to the rescue once more. This time he scored 56 off 34 balls to take his team within 40 runs of the target. The lower order finished off the job with four balls remaining.Earlier, Boodram grabbed 5/28 to limit the Australians to 158/7 in its 20 overs.The victories put T&T into today's final at the Woolongong University, outside of Sydney. On Friday the Sir Don Bradman Foundation Series will continue when the 50-over series bowls off.
SCORES
Australia 158 (Bryan Boodram 5/28, Amit Kistow 1/13 Emilo Gopaul 1/26) v T&T Invitational U-16 159/7 (19.2 overs) (Kirstan Kallicharan 56, Kistow 23 no, Amir Jangoo 22) T&T won by 3 wickets
India 120/7 (Gopaul 2/12) vs T&T 121/2 (18.5 overs) (Kallicharan 54, Jangoo 37 no) T&T won by 8 wickets