Chattergoon leads Guyana to title triumph
Opener Sewnarine Chattergoon hit a magnificent 119 to lead Guyana to a seven-run victory over Barbados in the KFC Cup final
T&T Express
17-Oct-2005
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Sulieman Benn, the left-arm spinner, turned from hero to villain for the Barbadians as he conceded 16 runs from the 49th over as the hosts just sneaked home with a win on the on the Duckworth/Lewis system. The 33-year-old Neil McGarrell hit a straight six just before umpires Norman Malcolm and Billy Doctrove halted the game in poor light.
Guyana, chasing Barbados' total of 249 for 8 off 50 overs, ended 247 for 7 off 49 overs, needing 240 to tie on the Duckworth/Lewis system. The 24-year-old Chattergoon smacked 14 boundaries off 140 balls in a classy knock that inspired the Guyanese to their ninth title.
He and Krishna Arjune (34) laid the foundation with an opening stand of 92 in 20.5 overs.
Despite the cheap loss of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, at 119 for 3, Guyana stayed in control. Sarwan, with three centuries in the competition, and Chanderpaul both fell to their West Indies team-mate Corey Collymore. Sarwan drove to cover while Chanderpaul got a questionable edge to wicket-keeper Courtney Browne. Chattergoon and fellow left-hander Narsingh Deonarine forged a fourth partnership of 90 in 14.5 overs.
Guyana were coasting at 209 for 3 in the 40th over when Benn brought Barbados back. The tall spinner removed Deonarine, who cut to short third man, Lennox Cush and Assad Fudadin as Guyana lost their way to be 225 for 7 off 45.2 overs. Chattergoon eventually dragged a square cut off Fidel Edwards onto his stumps. Derwin Christian, the wicketkeeper struggled to get the ball away as Benn, who took 3 for 36, and Edwards finally gave Barbados the edge.
But McGarrell sent the fans into raptures with a big penultimate over off the distraught Benn.
Earlier, Barbados, batting first for the seventh straight time in the tournament, were given a solid century start by openers Martin Nurse and Kurt Wilkinson. They passed 50 in the 12th over before the introduction of the offspin of Cush and Deonarine slowed their advance. Deonarine claimed Nurse for a top-score of 63. The bulky left-hander hit six fours and two sixes off 84 balls. Mahendra Nagamootoo, the legspinner, removed danger man Dwayne Smith and Wilkinson as the Bajans slipped to 135 for 3.
Floyd Reifer (35), Ryan Hinds (40) and Alcindo Holder (25) rallied the middle order as Barbados posted a competitive total. McGarrell, later a Guyana hero, took 3 for 58 with his left-arm spin. The equally experienced Nagamootoo claimed 3 for 52.