SYDNEY, Australia CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s Invitational Under-16 cricketers defeated their Australian counterparts by 58 runs to clinch the Don Bradman Foundation 50-over Final here on Friday.
The Caribbean boys, sent in to bat in a match reduced to 38 overs per side, piled on the runs quickly as openers Bryan Boodram (30) and Jordan Warner (100), posted a first wicket partnership of 60 before Boodram departed.
Amir Jangoo joined Warner and the pair wreaked havoc on the hosts, adding a match winning 130 for the second wicket.
Warner struck 14 fours and three sixes in a pulsing innings of 100 in just 103 deliveries, his second of the tournament.
Jangoo’s 64 came off 68 balls and helped push the T&T total to a respectable 238 for 8 in the allotted 38 overs.
The T&T bowlers then stifled the Aussie batting and dismissed them for just 180 in 35-overs, thanks to impressive spealls from off-spinner Saiba Batoosingh (3-35) and Jonathan Bootan (2-30).
Bryce Street notched a patient 46, but could not accelerate the scoring sufficiently to save the Aussies.
Trinidad and Tobago copped the majority of tournament awards at the closing dinner. Amir Jangoo was named MVP for his consistency throughout. Bryan Boodram picked up an award as the only bowler in the tournament with a five-wicket haul.
Jordan Warner was hailed for being the only batsman to hit a century, not one but two in the series, while coach Kenny Benjamin won the spirit of the games award. Team captain Kirstanm Kallicharan was named MVP in the T20 series played before the main event.
Team Manager Camal Basdeo offered lush praise to the team for its display of high quality cricket and especially for the resolve they showed against a talented home team.
Coach Kenny Benjamin said for him the best part of the project was the team learning from earlier mistakes and for their keen observation of their opponents in the preliminary rounds.
“It was clear they paid attention to every member of the Australian team and knew what was required in the final,” said Benjamin.
The Trinidad and Tobago team leaves Sydney today for a three-day visit to Adelaide and a friendly match against South Australia Under-17’s and a day at the Adeliade Oval as guests of the South Australia Cricket Association.
Summarised scores:
Trinidad and Tobago – 238/8 in 38 Overs; (Warner 100, Jangoo 64, Boodram 30)
Australia – 180 in 35 Overs; (Street 46; Batoosingh 3-35, Bootan 2-30).
