Suriname set up Turks Showdown by CricketArchive

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Scorecard:	Suriname v Brazil
Event:	ICC World Cricket League Americas Region Division Three 2005/06

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DateLine: 22nd February 2006

 

Host nation set up a decisive final clash with the Turks & Caicos Islands after recording a convincing 6 wicket win over Brazil at Snellen Park. This means that within the round-robin format of the tournament, the winner of this game will win the Division 3 championship, and promotion to Division 2 in April.

 

Although the end result was clearcut, Brazil put in another enterprising performance, and as with the opening game against the Turks & Caicos, there were decisive moments where they must have felt they were in with a good chance of snatching a win. The difference really boiled down to the masterful batting of the Surinamese, who clearly enjoy playing in front of their supporters on their home ground.

 

Brazil were asked to bat first, and a steady second wicket partnership between Deodat Randolph (37) and captain Matt Featherstone put them on track for a sizeable total. Featherstone went on to make 58, with 5 fours and a six.

 

Along with decent contributions from Viren Narula and veteran John Milton, who both made 22, and some late powerful hitting from big Vishnubhai Chaudhary, who clubbed 62 runs in 36 balls, with seven fours and four sixes, Brazil posted a more than respectable total of 251 for 7 in their 50 overs.

 

It certainly looked like being enough when a fiery opening burst from Brazilian seamer Rubabul Islam reduced Suriname to 15 for 2, but an extraordinary third wicket partnership between opener Sanjay Meghoe and wicket-keeper Khemraj Hardat virtually killed off the Brazilians hopes.

 

The pair added a blazing 130 runs in a partnership that lasted only 13 savage overs. When Hardat eventually perished for 56 (8 fours and 2 sixes), the total already stood at 145 in only the 16th over.

 

Still, there was a final twist, as rising young teenage star Arun Gokoel was dismissed for 13, and in a decisive moment, Meghoe was caught on the boundary – only for the delivery to be called no-ball. Man of the match Meghoe settled back into some rhythm after that, and went on to reach an undefeated 103, the fourth century of the tournament (all by opening batsmen) and the third to carry his bat. His fine innings included 16 fours.

 

He was partnered to the win by the dangerous Shazam Ramjohn, who made 46 not out in 26 balls, with 4 fours and 4 sixes, and Suriname reached their target, ultimately in comfortable fashion, with 19 overs to spare.

 

Thus tomorrow sets up a showpiece final game at Snellen Park, and a big crowd is expected to turn out to see whether Suriname or the Turks & Caicos will emerge victorious. At Axwijk Sports Centre, Chile and Brazil, who have both emerged from this event, their first, with enormous credit, will play their final fixture, a traditional South American derby, for third and fourth place