gmsports@guardian.co.tt
Daniel Robinson of Unique was adjudged Senior Player of the Year at the T&T Cricket Board’s North East Zonal Council annual awards function held at the Guaico Government Primary School in Sangre Grande on Sunday night.
The batsman scored the most runs (250) to help Unique clinch the Senior Division title on a better run rate ahead of second-placed Rovers, while Youth Sports were third.
Also in the Senior Division, Joel Graham of Rovers hit the highest score (74), while his teammate Sion Cain ended up with the most wickets (16). Cain also snapped up two five-wicket hauls, 5/8 and 5/28, in the season.
However, Stephen Sooklal of champion team Unique had the best bowling average, 14 scalps at 7.40 runs while Mikell Bharat of Youth Sports registered the Best All-round Performance (165 runs and 13 wickets).
The spotlight of the awards function also shone brightly on the North East Zonal Council’s youth cricketers with Israel Gonzales picking up the Youth Player of the Year prize and the Under-15 Most Valuable Player accolades.
The young batsman finished the Inter-Zone competition without losing his wicket with unbeaten scores of 34, 38 and 41, and topped off the season with 22 not out in the North/South U-15 Classic.
Also stealing the limelight was eight-year-old Ronaldo Mahase who is featuring in the U-13 competition and walked away that that category’s MVP award with best figures of eight wickets for 119 runs.
Rahul Soodeen topped the U-17s with an all-around display scoring 56 runs and claiming five wickets for 132 runs, while Vasant Singh made 63 runs and picked up five for 60 in the U-19 competition.
Singh also had the distinction of getting a national call-up while along with Anderson Mahase were the two T&T cricketers selected by Cricket West Indies on the regional team for the ICC U-19 World Cup which was staged in the Caribbean at the beginning of the year.
Unity was the winner of Division One with Cricket Valencia second. Brothers Andy and Randy Mahase grabbed the awards for scoring the most runs (119) and the highest individual score (101) respectively for Unity and Cricket Valencia.
Tishan Ramroop of Unity grabbed the most wickets (14) and had the best all-around performance coupled with 62 runs; while Kevin Mahabir of Cricket Valencia recorded the best bowling average (eight wickets at 3.90 runs each).
President of the North East Zonal Council Parasram Singh said in his report that the abbreviated 2022 season can be termed a success despite the challenges faced in having the grounds prepared by the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.
“We are the last zone to get our competitions started and yet we have been able to complete one of our tournaments so we can have an awards function. But our cricket has suffered more than any other region,” said Singh.
Also present at the function was the first vice-president of the TTCB, Arjoon Ramlal who highlighted the individual achievements of the cricketers, and umpires in the North East despite the pandemic.
Deputy chairman of the SGRC, Councillor Kenwyn Phillip (Manzanilla/Fishing Pond) and Councillor Nassar Hosein (Sangre Grande North West) were also invited and pledged their support of the zone’s activities.
Philip outlined the challenges that SGRC faces but said funds have been allocated to improve the Coalmine Recreation Ground renamed after West Indies women’s cricketer Anisa Mohammed.
Also recognised for their outstanding contribution to the North East Zone were Rasheed Khan, former cricket, club livewire and community activist; and Sunil Rampersad, a stalwart whose family has a long history and connection with zonal cricket.
HONOUR ROLL
Most Runs: Daniel Robinson (Unique) 250
Highest Individual Score: Joel Graham (Rovers) 74
Most Wickets: Sion Cain (Rovers) 16
Best Bowling Average: Stephen Sooklal (Unique) 14 at 7.40
Best All-round Performance: Mikell Bharat (Youth Sports) 165 runs/13 wickets
DIVISION ONE
1 Unity
2 Cricket Valencia
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Most Runs - Andy Mahase (Unity) 119
Highest Score - Randy Mahase (Cricket Valencia) 101
Most Wickets - Tishan Ramroop (Unity) 14
Best Bowling Average - Kevin Mahabir (Cricket Valencia) 8 at 3.90
Best All-round Performance (Unity) 14 wickets/62 runs
CENTURY: Randy Mahase (Cricket Valencia) 101
FIVE-WICKET HAUL
Kendon McCarthy (Swansea) 7/14
Bobby Partap (Cricket Valencia) 5/6
Kevin Mahabir (Cricket Valencia) 5/20
Tishan Ramroop (Unity) 5/22
YOUTH CRICKETERS
Most Valuable Players
Under-13 Ronaldo Mahase 8/1129
Under-15 Israel Gonzales 34*, 38*, 41*, 22* (North/South Classic)
Under-17 Rahul Soodeen 56 runs/5-132
Under-19 Vasant Singh 63 runs/5-60
NORTH/SOUTH
Under-13 Ravesh Gopaul
Under-15 Jakillon Beckles
Israel Gonzales
Ethan Ramsundar
Ashmir Singh
NATIONAL PLAYERS
Under-15
Israel Gonzales
Ashmir Singh
Under-19 Vasant Singh
WEST INDIES PLAYERS (2021)
Under-19
Anderson Mahase
Vasant Singh
SPECIAL AWARDS
Youth Player of the Year - Israel Gonzales
Senior Player of the Year - Daniel Robinson
Umpire of the Year - Rafick Khan
Long and Distinguished Service - Rasheed Khan, Sunil Rampersad