Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Pollard hits crucial half-century in Trinidad KFC Cup win

Friday, January 19, 2007

by: Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: A sparkling half-century from teenager Kieron Pollard guided Trinidad and Tobago to an easy five-wicket victory over defending champions Guyana, as the second round of the West Indies limited-overs KFC Cup got underway on Wednesday.

Playing at home at the Queen's Park Oval, the powerful hitting Pollard slammed a breathtaking 87 from just 58-balls, including seven huge sixes and six boundaries in just over an hour. Pollard's knock helped the home side reach their victory target of 184; this after Guyana posted a target of 183.

Veerasammy, Permauland, Mahendra, Nagamootoo, were the most successful Guyanese bowlers with two wickets each. Nagamootoo bagged two for 34 off 8 overs, while Permaul finished with two for 39 off six overs.

Earlier, Ravi Rampaul and Dave Mohammed combined to take six wickets when Guyana batted first. Rampaul, returning from injuries, claimed four for 53 from 10 overs, supported well by left-arm spinner Mohammed, who took two for 24 from his allotted 10 overs as Trinidad restricted Guyana to a score under 200.

For the win Trinidad picked up four valuable points and will next be in action on Saturday at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain when they take on the Leeward Islands in the third round of the Carib Beer regional series.

In the other two matches played on Wednesday, Barbados carved out a six-wicket win over Leeward Islands and Jamaica defeated the Windward Islands by five wickets.

Winning the toss and sending the visitors in to bat, captain Ryan Hinds bagged four for 48 as Barbados restricted the Leewards to 226 for nine at the Carlton Sports Club. Their innings was cut short when Steve Liburd was forced to retire hurt with an injury to his left arm, after colliding with Fidel Edwards. He was on 31.

In the Jamaica game, Man-of-the-Match Dave Bernard delivered an all-round performance to seal a victory over the home side.

Bernard first picked up three for 29 with his medium pace as the Windwards were bowled out for 161 in 43.2 overs. He then came in and made a crucial 23 in a fifth wicket stand of 72 with Tamar Lambert, who top scored with an undefeated 48 as Jamaica coasted to their victory target of 165-5 in 47.4 overs.

Jamaica playing without several of their top players earned their second consecutive victory in the competition.

Rawl Lewis, who took three for 32 from 9.4 overs was the chief wicket taker for the losing team.

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