The T&T Invitational Under 17’s continued to enjoy success as their tour of New Zealand, as they whipped Wellington Under-19s by 15 runs in their latest encounter.
Playing at Linden Park, Wellington, the T&T boys posted a mammoth 299/2 in their 50 overs with openers Trystian Thurton and Joshua DeSilva sharing in a commanding opening partnership of 220 before the fall of the first wicket in the 43rd over.
De Silva who plays for QPCC fell for 82 with eight boundaries off 109 balls and while Thurton slapped 135 laced with 19 fours and one six off 157 balls. The Preysal Cricket club player left in the 46th over and this followed scored of 44 and 61.
Skipper Keagan Simmons looked good as well and struck an unbeaten 26 off 15 balls, while Cephus Cooper ended with 23 not out off 20 balls, adding a further in 47 off 25 balls. The best bowler for Wellington was Ben Murrow who took 1/57 in his ten overs.
In reply, the Wellington team were off to a flying start with Francois Swartz and Devan Vishvakar putting on 107 in just 18.2 overs. The South African-born Swartz got to 80 with four fours and five sixes off just 55 balls. Vishvakar who is of Indian origin contributed a solid 45 off 85 balls. Later, middle order batsmen Chander Ravi and Jesse Tashkoff made 57 and 48 not out respectively to keep the run chase interesting.
After the fall of Ravi’s wicket, the home team was stifled by the accurate bowling of the visitors spinners.
The impressive combinations of Nathaniel McDavid, Aaron Mairam, then Ashmead Nedd and Saiba Batoosingh kept the pressure on which saw the home team combining for five wickets between them which saw the Kiwis finally closing on 284/7 after their 50 overs. \The T&T Invational Team won by 15 runs.
Summarised scores
TT Inv 299/2 – 50 Overs (C.Thurton 135, J.DeSilva 82, K.Simmons 26 no, C.Cooper 23 no) vs Wellington U19’s 284/7 – 50 Overs (F.Swartz 80, D.Vishvakar 45, C.Rose 57, J.Tashkoff 48 no)—TT Inv won by 15 runs.
