It’s all to play for on the final day of this year’s North/South Classic as both teams seek to capture the first senior domestic title up for grabs on Sunday.
North resumed the third day’s play on Saturday on 271/3, in reply to South’s 274, and were eventually dismissed for 388/9 just before tea, with a lead of 114 runs.
When South returned for their second innings, they lost three wickets in the final session and closed off the third day on 112/3, trailing by two runs, with Jason Mohammed (37 not out) and Kamil Pooran (28 not out) in the middle.
[caption id="attachment_1056432" align="alignnone" width="833"] Team South's Imran Khan bowls against Team North, on Saturday, during the TTCB's North/South Classic four-day match, at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva. - Lincoln Holder[/caption]
When play resumed on Saturday, North’s overnight batsmen Amir Jangoo (106 not out) and Tion Webster (15 not out) sought to apply early pressure. However, Jangoo, who played a strong supporting role in Vikash Mohan’s 115 on Saturday, added only eight runs to his tally as right-arm spinner Bryan Charles had him trapped leg before. He scored 113 comprising 13 fours and one six.
Webster was joined by left-hander Dejourn Charles on 292/4, and a lead of 18. But on the stroke of the first hour’s play, spinner Damion Joachim had the new batsman clean bowled, just after getting hit for four.
Webster, however, played smartly as he drew closer to half-century. Incoming batsman Khary Pierre (12) had a fair start but when he attempted to sweep left-arm spinner Jyd Goalie, the ball swung back onto his pad, prompting the umpire to send him back to the pavilion.
[caption id="attachment_1056431" align="alignnone" width="1024"] North batsman Dejourn Charles is bowled on day three of the four-day match against South in the TTCB's North/South Classic, on Saturday, at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva. - Lincoln Holder[/caption]
Just before the lunch break, Webster struck a single off Imran Khan’s spell to notch his well-worked 50. At the break, North were 334/6.
When play resumed, fast bowler Anderson Phillip was introduced to South’s bowling attack with the new ball. He was immediately rewarded as Sion Hackett (one) was trapped leg before wicket off his first over.
Webster continued to dispatch bad balls and increase his score as youngster Andrew Rambaran entered. Phillip, though, showed good aggression with the ball and as Rambaran attempted a drive to the boundary, Goolie was there to scoop the ball and send him back to the pavilion (375/8).
[caption id="attachment_1056430" align="alignnone" width="1024"] North's Tion Webster plays a shot against South during the thrid day of the four-day TTCB North/South Classic match, on Saturday, at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva. - Lincoln Holder[/caption]
Philton Williams came in and scored four before edging to Pierre at slips. The remaining batsman, Leonardo Julien, did not bat because he was ill. Webster finished on 88, ten runs short of his century
