While most of the country prayed for rain to cease because of the devastation it caused over the last few days, T&T cricketers were doing the opposite yesterday. As it turned out, the heavens opened to wash out most of the final day and rescue the Red Force in the opening match of the WICB Professional Cricket League, at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Starting the day on 165 for three and still needing 99 runs to make Barbados bat again, the local boys were in trouble at 213 for five when the rain sent the players off the field for the final time at 10.32 am. Under the new points allocation system, T&T did not fare badly, as they got five points (three for the incomplete game and two bowling points). Barbados got eight points (three for the incomplete game, two batting points and three bowling points).
T&T lost a wicket in the very first over of the day when Kemar Roach plucked the scalp of Jason Mohammed. The right hander who played an enterprising hand towards the end of play on Sunday evening, was caught at second slip by Ashley Nurse without adding to his overnight 32.
Test captain Denesh Ramdin looked in fine touch with two wonderful straight drives but just as he was getting into his groove, he touched one from Smith to be caught at second slip.
Smith bowled with a lot of guile from the Northern end, as the previous delivery he pitched in the same area but had the ball in-swinging.
Next ball and it was over for Ramdin, as it pitched in the same area and moved away.
Ramdin showed his disgust with the dismissal, knowing fully well that his team was depending on him to get them out of trouble.
Where the batsmen failed, the rain did not, and pretty soon there were puddles of water on the green carpet.