Watched by capacity crowd that included West Indies legend Clive Lloyd, Enterprise Busta pulled off a stunning five-wicket win against tournament favourites Lusignan in a thrilling final of the 2011 East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Carib Beer T20 tournament Saturday night.
Chasing 116 to win at the Enterprise Community Center ground, the hosts reached the target with four deliveries to spare with national opener Rajendra Chandrika top scoring with 48, which included three fours and two sixes.
Hemraj Garbarran supported with 30 which included three fours and one six.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Lusignan had a wobbly start to their innings, losing half of their side for just 55 runs from 10 overs. Steve Ramdass (32) and Somnauth Bharrat (22) played sensibly, picking up singles, twos and the occasional boundary to steady the innings, adding a crucial 27 runs for the sixth wicket in just five overs.
However, when both batsmen departed Lusignan slipped to 82 for 7. Gajanand Sukanan (15) and Narvan Singh (14) stroked breezy innings to rally to the eventual total as first-class leg-spinner Zaheer Mohamed (2-17), Chandrika (2-20) and Videsh Lall (2-24) combined to restrict their opponents.
In reply, Enterprise Busta were off to a relatively slow start with openers Chandrika and Hemraj Garbarran adding 48 for the first wicket in 10 overs.
Gajanand Sukanan (3-24) was the most penetrative bowler for Lusignan. There was also a wicket apiece for Kumar Bishundial and Rajendra Naikbaran.
In the third place playoff Lion’s X1 made 204 for 9 in 20 overs with Dion Ferrier and Lawrence Pilloo making 26 in their team’s 42-run triumph over Plaisance who made 162 in 18 overs. At the presentation ceremony, Lloyd disclosed how pleased he was with the talent he saw in the players. He urged the players to continue playing the game with passion so that cricket on the East Coast can improve.
President of the ECCB, Bissoondyal Singh in his remarks congratulated both teams for reaching the final. He thanked the sponsor Ansa McAl Trading Limited for their continued support of the tournament which attracted 43 teams. Enterprise Busta collected $100,000 and the winner’s trophy while Lusignan received $50,000 and trophy. Lion’s X1 received the $25,000 and trophy. Chandrika was adjudged the Man-of-the match for his innings of 48.
