Colin Munro sets up massive Trinbago win

Rayad Emrit, the Guyana captain since Shoaib Malik’s departure for Pakistan duty, won the toss and asked Trinbago to bat. But, after Sohail Tanvir had Chris Lynn caught by Chadwick Walton for a duck in the first over, all Emrit could do was watch Colin Munro and Denesh Ramdin take control and then take apart the Guyana bowling.

Trinbago finished on a healthy 170/7 and then bowled Guyana out for 103 to get back on top of the points table.

Munro and Ramdin were together for almost 15 overs, Ramdin the patient support act and Munro all systems go. The two added 135 runs for the second wicket, Ramdin’s contribution only 39 runs in 36 balls before he became the second man out, caught at long-on by Imran Tahir off Chris Green.

Munro, closing in on a century already, could well have gone on and got to the mark, but fell soon after Ramdin, sending Romario Shepherd high up for Green to take the catch at long-on. His 90 came off just 56 balls and included 10 fours and four sixes – he fell in the 17th over.

There was a rush of wickets after that, Tanvir picking up two more to end with 3/27, but Munro had set it up nicely enough for Trinbago to get to a solid score.

“Good to get a bit of confidence that you have done well against an opposition,” said Munro, who is likely to face the Guyana bowlers again in the play-offs. “They bowled in my areas and I was lucky enough tonight.

“I don't take much of risk against the wrist-spinners, I know I can make up against the other bowlers.”

When Guyana chased, it was one wicket after another. Ali Khan returned 3/22 opening the bowling, and Khary Pierre (2/21), Dwayne Bravo (2/22) and Fawad Ahmed (2/20) all got among the wickets as the innings closed in 17.4 overs.

Only four Guyana batsmen got into double-digits, underscoring their sorry plight on the day – Roshon Primus’ 36* in 30 balls from No.8 was the best effort, followed by Jason Mohammed’s run-a-ball 27.

“These two points are important – top-of-the-table clash, we wanted to play good cricket and entertain the fans. We didn't get runs at the end, but they bowled well and we had a good partnership up front: 170 was a good total,” said Bravo.

“Colin is a world-class player and he has a lot of hunger for runs, he has been the best overseas player this season. We have a lot of great guys in the dressing room. It's about backing a player when he is down. It's not about the performance, but it's about the attitude.”

For Emrit and Guyana, it was a bad day at work, but they are still No.3 on the table – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots are at No.2 – with 10 points from eight games.

“Disappointed with the loss. I think we bowled well. (But) the start we got with the bat was not acceptable. Our seniors haven't been giving us the runs, but I back them to come good,” Emrit said.

“They got partnerships and we didn't, we need to learn from them.”