Development

Suriname clinch Division 3 title

Suriname proudly claimed the ICC Americas WCL Division 3 title on home soil with a convincing 7 wicket win over the Turks & Caicos Islands

ICC Development (Americas) Media Release
Player of the tournament, Sanjay Meghoe from Suriname © ICC
Suriname proudly claimed the ICC Americas WCL Division 3 title on home soil with a convincing 7 wicket win over the Turks & Caicos Islands. There were scenes of jubilation, amongst the players and large crowd of spectators alike, as Suriname reached 152 for 3 with a huge six from Shazam Ramjohn, thus passing the disappointing 148 all out set earlier by the Turks.

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Victory not only meant the Division 3 title, but also passage into the forthcoming Division 2 tournament to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in April, where they will meet the hosts Argentina, the Bahamas, Belize and Panama.

In a match reduced to 45 overs per side due to morning showers, and after being put in to bat, there were no signs of the drama to follow as the Turks confidently moved to 66 before the first wicket fell in the 13th over thanks to a steady opening partnership between Thomas (29) and Khan (47).

However, the introduction of veteran left arm spinner Surujpaul Mangal into the attack changed the entire complexion of the game. After completing a devastating spell of wily bowling, Mangal finished with 5 for 31, and the Turks had been reduced to 131 to 7. Teenager Arun Gokoel weighed in with 3 for 21, and Suriname were well on their way to a historic triumph as the islanders were bundled out for only 148.
Surinamese captain, Alimoedin Nasrullah, with the Division 3 trophy © ICC
True to form, the Surinamese openers, Sanjay Meghoe (60) and Deoraj Sewanan (37) put on 98 in 14 overs, and the contest was effectively over. Two of the home side's heroes, Ramjohn and fittingly 17 year old Gokoel, saw Suriname to a memorable milestone in their cricket history.

In the other game of the day, played at the brand new Axwijk Sports Centre field between traditional South American rivals, Chile and Brazil, the impressive Chileans claimed third place with a crushing 10 wicket win in a game reduced to 36 overs per side due to rain.

On a slow and variable pitch, Brazil struggled to 88 all out, a target which the two star Chilean batsmen Paul Hollis (46 not out) and Simon Shalders (24 not out) knocked off with somewhat surprising ease in only 14 overs.

Earliers Shalders had also shone with ball, claiming 4 for 19, with sound back-up coming from Sajjad Butt (3 for 22) and Naresh Budhrani (2 for 20).

A memorable event closed with a dinner attended by various dignitaries, including government ministers and ambassadors, where the following individual awards were made:

Player of the Tournament: Sanjay Meghoe (Suriname)
Batting Award: Simon Shalders (Chile)
Bowling Award: Surujpaul Mangal (Suriname)
Fielding Award: Shazam Ramjohn (Suriname)
Spirit of Cricket Award: Matt Featherstone (Brazil)