Sports Correspondent
South Zone Under-15 emerged as the new champions of the Trinidad and Tobago’s Cricket Board (TTCB) Under-15 Inter-Zone Tournament, at the final played at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, yesterday.
South Zone won by 39 runs against the defending champions, Central Zone.
At the crease first was the South zone, with openers Amit Chan and Adan Goupal. They shared a 48-run partnership before Ra’ed Khan bowled Chan for 16 runs. Sachin Nandlal followed, joining Gopaul at the crease, and both players shared a 34-run partnership. Gopaul scored 35 runs before he was caught by Sanjay Naidoo.
Reyad Jerome later bowled and caught Nandlal for a top score of 45 runs from 62 deliveries. He smashed two fours and two maximums. But that was not the end, as the biggest partnership for the South team was between Shaan Ramtahal and Arion Nanan. Both men shared a 61-run partnership, scoring 35 and 21 runs, respectively.
South zone closed their inning on an impressive and competitive 219 for seven from their 50 overs.
K’hill Thomas picked up two wickets for 48 runs, while Khan, Naidoo, Jerome, and Daron Dhanraj picked up one each.
Chasing a target of 220, the Central fell short, as they started by losing the wicket of the opener Zakariyya Mohammed in the first over. Wickets continued to fall for the Central team, as they were on 66 for three at the end of 20 overs.
But they didn’t lose faith. As Jerome top-scored with a half-century, 52 runs from 75 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Amit Pittiman followed suit with Jerome and scored 40 off 56 balls. Sameer Khan added an unbeaten 14 and Naidoo with 12.
At the end of their 50 overs, the Central team ended with 180 for nine.
Ethan Ramcharan ended with figures of four for 29. Ramthal picked up two for 24, inclusive of two maiden overs.
South Zone won the game by 39 runs and claimed the title of 2024 champions.
At the closing ceremony right at NCC, the organizers distributed awards into four different categories. South’s player, Ramcharan, won double awards, as Player of the Match and Best Bowler for his bowling figures of four for 29 in ten overs. Central Jerome received the award for best batsman, 52 of 75, while Best Fieldsman went to Daniel Holder for two catches.