Lendl Simmons continued his fondness for Guyana’s bowling attack by slamming a century yesterday, his ninth first class ton, to put Trinidad and Tobago in control against Guyana in their seventh round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Day Competition at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
It was Simmons second hundred in successive mtches following his century in last year’s competition.
The 26 year-old right hander, overlooked by the selectors for the World Cup, is unbeaten on 133 while another West Indies discard Dinesh Ramdin is not out on 33.
Trinidad, who won the toss and batted are 292 – 4 from 90 overs.
T&T are currently third in the points standings. with 40 points from the six matches played while Guyana are in the cellar position with 16 points from six games.
The Trinidad batting stood firm against a pretty ordinary Guyana bowling attack minus leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo who was drafted into the West Indies side during their recent World Cup run.
Guyana’s captain Assad Fudadin used eight bowlers during the course of the day but the four wickets were all they had to show.
Earlier, Guyana claimed the wicket of Tishan Maraj for just four runs with the score on seven then Simmons and his captain Darren Ganga put on a 72 run partnership for the second wicket stand. Ganga scored 24 before being caught by Rajendra Chandrika at point off Veerasammy Permaul.
Jason Mohammed and Simmons put on 112 runs for the third wicket and at lunch the pair was well entrenched on 96 – 2 from 28 overs with Simmons five away from his half century and Mohammed on 13.
When play resumed the pair batted for the majority of the second session and piled on 95 runs to the total. Simmons reached 50 from 80 balls while Mohammed reached his half century from 79 balls.
Mohammed reached 67 before he slashed a wide delivery from Rensford Beaton into the hands of substitute fielder Shemroy Barrington at point with the score on 191.
At tea, Trinidad were 198 – 3 with Simmons on 90 and Sherwin Ganga on three.
The Trinidadians batted slowly and steadily for the final session.
Simmons nearly missed out on his century when he edged a very difficult low catch to the left of Leon Johnson at first slip off Permaul and picked up a single which carried him to 98.
He reached his century the very next over after batting for 265 minutes and facing 179 deliveries.
Sherwin Ganga was dismissed for 18 when he was trapped lbw to Steven Jacobs and that brought Ramdin to the middle. Ramdin, who looked to be in some bit of form and Simmons saw Trinidad safely to stumps.
