East and North East Scarlet Ibis skipper Leonardo Julien displayed his leadership skills while Mikkel Govia of North and Tobago Masqueraders showed his bowling talent on Saturday in the second round of the T&T Cricket Board Under-23 Cup tournament at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva but their efforts were all in vain as their respective matches were abandoned due to rain.
Central and South West Flamingos won the toss and elected to field first, leaving the Scarlet Ibis only one choice but to face at the crease.
Despite the early dismissal of Leonardo Francis for zero, Shazad Mohammed and Giovanni Ramdenny were able to forge a 33-run opening partnership. Mohammed and Ramdenny scored 13 and 28, respectively, before the former was caught and bowled by Ronillster Perreira, leaving the Scarlet Ibis team on 33 for two.
With the entrance of Julien, the Ibis’ spirit was lifted as Ramdeeny and Julien shared a 32-run partnership. The captain scored 61 runs from 80 deliveries, smashing four fours.
The Scarlet Ibis concluded on 156 all out in 41.2 overs while Perreira was the top wicket-taker for the Flamingoes, ending with figures of three for 24 in seven overs.
Chasing 157, the Flamingoes were able to score 48 in 13.1 overs before the match was abandoned due to heavy rainfall. After the back-to-back wickets of openers Aaron Banky and Kyle Balraj, Narad Kissondath and captain Rajeev Ramnath were sharing a 32-run partnership before the decision was made to call off the match.
The Flamingoes were on 48 for two, with Anderson Mahase ending on figures of one for eight in four overs.
Over at the Inshan Ali Park in Preysal, the second match between the South and South East Hummingbirds and the North and Tobago Masqueraders was also abandoned. The Hummingbirds were bowled out for 139 in 28.2 overs. Aaron Nanan scored 32 from 36 deliveries and Damion Joachim with 22.
Meanwhile, Govia ended with figures of 5 for 32 in 9.2 overs.
In reply, the Masqueraders were at 115 for five in 27 overs at the rain interruption. Gerard Chin was able to score 31 and Johsua James 27.
Joachim and Kyle Roopchand both picked up two wickets each.
The next day of play will be on Wednesday, when the East and North East Scarlet Ibis will face the North and Tobago Masquerades at NCC while Central and South West Flamingoes will go up against South and South East Hummingbirds at the Inshan Ali Park in Preysal, both starting 9.30 am.
The opening round of the U-23 Cup on Thurday was also abandoned due to rain.
SCORES
East and North East Scarlet Ibis 156 all out (41.2 overs) (Leonardo Julien 61, Giovani Ramdenny 47, Ronillster Perreira 3/24) vs Central and South West U-23 48 for 2 (13.1 overs) (Rajeev Ramnath 17 not out, Narad Kissoondath 15 not out, Anderson Mahase 1/8). Match abandoned
South and South East Hummingbirds 139 all out (28.2 overs) (Aaron Nanan 32, Mikkel Govia 5/32) vs North and Tobago Masqueraders 115 for five (27 overs) (Gerard Chin 31, Damion Joachim 2wkts). Match Abandoned