National fast bowler Marlon Richards went from villain to hero in the space of six balls leading Merry Boys to an exciting three-wicket win over Queen's Park Cricket Club in the Premiership Division final of the NGC T20 tournament at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, on Friday night.
After Queen's Park posted a competitive 162/3 batting first, the match went down to the last over with Merry Boys on 148/7 needing 15 runs off six balls. In the last ball of the 19th over, a mix up between Richards and Keon Issac led to the run out of the latter as both batsmen ended up at the same end. The match seemed to swing Queen's Park's way, as Parkites captain Kevon Cooper gave the ball to West Indian and Barbadian fast bowler Fidel Edwards for the last over.
Samuel Felix got the over off to a great start for Merry Boys with a bit of luck, hitting a four through the fine leg region to give the strong Merry Boys contingent in the crowd some hope. Felix then picked up two runs straight down the ground, as Merry Boys now required nine from four balls.
A yorker well kept out by Felix again seemed to give Queen's Park the advantage as the batsmen scrambled a single. With the equation now eight runs from three balls, it was now Richards versus Edwards; T&T versus Barbados; fast bowler versus fast bowler.
Richards, who you can always count on to get valuable runs at the end of the innings, cracked a full length delivery for a straight six down to the pavilion as Merry Boys drew close to the win. Richards then picked up the two runs required down to the cover boundary as the Merry Boys team and supporters stormed the field to celebrate the victory. Richards finished on 12 off six balls with one six, while Felix struck one four in his unbeaten seven from three balls.
Earlier in the innings, Amir Jangoo (28), Jeetendra Sookdeo (31), Royston Crandon (25) and skipper Aneil Kanhai (32) all made valuable contributions for Merry Boys. Cooper was the Parkites best bowler grabbing 2/21 in four overs, while Akeal Hosein took 2/18 in two. Edwards ended with figures of 1/40 in 3.5 overs.
When Queen's Park batted, opening right-handed batsman Petrock Nicholas held the innings together top scoring with 79 from 66 balls, which included 13 fours. An excellent cameo from Daron Cruickshank at the end of the innings helped push Queen's Park to a competitive total. Cruickshank, who was especially strong through the leg side, made an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls hitting three fours and three sixes. Richards (1/24), Rishard Harris (1/11) and Crandon (1/28) all took one wicket for Merry Boys.
Before the final on Friday, Powergen defeated Preysal by five wickets in the premiership third place playoff.
Scorecard
Queen's Park Innings
P Nicholas c S Felix b M Richards 79
J Augustus c R Jaipaul b R Harris 3
A Hosein b R Crandon 18
D Cruickshank not out 39
K Cooper not out 7
Did not Bat: M Barclay, J Searles, F Edwards, K Pierre, A Balgobin+, T Hinds
Extras: 8w 4lb 4b (16)
Total: 162 for 3 (20 overs)
Bowling: M Richards 4-0-24-1, K Issac 3-0-35-0, R Harris 4-0-11-1, A Kanhai 2-0-21-0, R Jaipaul 4-0-35-0, R Crandon 3-0-28-1
Fall of Wkts: 22, 91, 141
Merryboys Innings
M Belcon c A Hosein b F Edwards 0
A Jangoo st A Balgobin b A Hosein 28
A Alfred+ b K Cooper 11
J Sookdeo c D Cruickshank b A Hosein 31
R Crandon c T Hinds b K Cooper 25
A Kanhai c A Hosein b J Searles 32
M Richards not out 12
K Issac run out(D Cruickshank) 1
S Felix not out 7
Did not Bat: R Harris, R Jaipaul
Extras: 7w 9lb (16)
Total: 163 for 7 (19.5 overs)
Bowling: F Edwards 3.5-0-40-1, J Searles 4-0-18-1, K Pierre 3-0-27-0, K Cooper 4-0-21-2, D Cruickshank 1-0-7-0, A Hosein 2-0-18-2, T Hinds 2-0-23-0
Fall of Wkts: 0, 33, 71, 94, 139, 144, 148
Umpires: K Kowlessar, D Ramdhanie, A Sanowar, P Nero
Referee: H Bruce
Scorers: R Lalman
Third Place Playoff: Preysal 142/6 (Narsingh Deonarine 81, Samuel Badree 2/13) vs Powergen 146/5 (17.5 overs) (Gregory Mahabir 34, Kristopher Ramsaran 2/22) Powergen won by five wickets.