Allrounder Mikkel Govia scored 68 on Sunday (January 26) to ensure Masqueraders captured the T&T Under-23 Cup title over Flamingos, winning the final by four wickets, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando.
The Central Sports allrounder, who helped St Lucia Kings to their first Caribbean Premier League title last year, hit eight fours and three sixes in a knock that only used 39 balls, as the team representing North/Tobago successfully chased 228 to win the final.
Flamingos, representing Central/South-West, were put into bat by the North/ Tobago team and got a healthy start from their top order.
Openers Aaron Bankey (43) and Kyle Balraj (51) shared in a first-wicket partnership that yielded 95 runs in 23.4 overs.
Chadeon Raymond struck first as the Queen’s Park bowler bowled Balraj. Bankey followed not long after when former Fatima College captain Joshua Davis had him caught by Raymond.
Narad Kyle Kissoondath scored 30 batting at number three but lost partners Rajeev Ramnath (0) and Rajesh Maharaj (8) in quick time and found a partner in Mikeal Sinanan whose 51 from 47 balls injected life into the innings. Sinanan hit seven fours and the only six of the innings as he helped Flamingos to 227 all out in 50 overs.
Davis took 3 for 29 and Raymon grabbed 3 for 66 as they were Masqueraders’ best bowlers.
The North/Tobago representative team in its quest to reach 228, lost Gerard Chin (caught and bowled by Ronnilster Perreira for 14) with the score on 28, but the pair of Kyle Ramdoo and skipper Jeremiah Cruickshank took the Masqueraders to 71 before Cruickshank offered Ramnath a catch off the bowling Kevin Kanhai for 28.
Masqueraders stumbled in the middle of the innings losing the wickets of Sachin Emrit (15), Ramdoo (45) and Zachary Siewah (10) with the score on 134 for five in the 33rd over.
Needing 94 runs from 17.1 overs with five wickets in hand, Govia took matters into his own hands and hit 68 from 39 balls in only 55 minutes and was dismissed when the scores were levelled on 227, and well placed to secure the win.
The very next ball and not needing any time to acclimatise to the pitch, Olando James struck a four to formally hand Masqueraders the six-wicket win and the title.
Summarised scores
At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy: Flamingos 227 All out (50 overs) (Mikeal Sinanan 51; Kyle Balraj 51; Joshua Davis 3-29; Chadeon Raymond 3-66) vs Masqueraders 231 for 6 (43.5 overs) (Mikkel Govia 68; Kyle Ramdoo 45; Kevin Kanhai 2-43). Masqueraders won by 4 wickets.
