By Brij Parasnath

WEST Indies senior professional Denesh Ramdin, who successfully led Cane Farm Sports Club to the 2016 UWI UNICOM T20 title; was high in praise for the organisers and officials for their high level of professionalism and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) players for their consistency and fighting qualities.The newly-appointed captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force team that will attempt to register a unique hat-trick of Super50 crowns commended the organising committee members (headed by Dr Trevor Alleyne) and said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed playing in the UWI UNICOM T20 tournament and it was one of the best.
The organisers did a fantastic job and players are extremely happy with the way everything put together for us to give of our best.”
Ramdin also expressed sincere gratitude to all the sponsors for contributing to the overall success of the tournament and stated: “I want especially, on behalf of all the teams and players who participated in the UWI UNICOM T20 tournament to thank all the sponsors, including UNICOM – the main sponsor; who made it possible for us to come and play in these competitive matches that will help all of us to improve and be ready for higher level competitions. We had great fun playing here and look forward to coming back to defend the title.”
Ramdin singled out the DCC players for special mention and said: “I want to congratulate the Demerara Cricket Club players for their consistency and fighting spirit. I am impressed with the way they played the game and made us fight very hard for the victory.”
He was also appreciative of the crowd response and stressed: “The crowd in the final were real good and their reactions helped the players to lift their game and put on a good show. Our role is to entertain all cricket supporters and other stakeholders, and I think they would have enjoyed what they saw. We are excited to have won the competition and made everyone very happy.”
“Special thanks also to the media personnel who provided good coverage of the tournament as these reports and highlights also help to push the players to improve and do better every time they go on the field,” added Ramdin, who was at the helm of the Trinidad and Tobago’s senior team that had won a hat-trick of Caribbean T20 titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Cane Farm SC maintained their unbeaten record and celebrated sweet success when they registered an impressive 67-run win over the previously unbeaten DCC in the grand finale contested last Sunday at the Sir Frank Worrell ground, St Augustine campus.
DCC, without the services of their two regional players Christopher Barnwell and Paul Wintz surprised the other local T&T teams and won four consecutive matches before their winning streak ended against the star-studded Cane Farm SC team that proved superior with their overall experience and their class was too much for the Guyanese double-crowned T20 champs.
For his wonderful batting exploits and entertainment in the tournament, 29-year-old Singh was rewarded with the UNICOM Player-of-the-Series award of TT$4 000 plus a special gold chain and pendant, courtesy Kanhai Raghubir Jewellery.
On behalf of the victorious Cane Farm SC, Ramdin collected the winning prize of TT$40 000 from UNICOM plus the UWI-UNICOM T20 Trophy while all members of his winning team received hampers, courtesy AS Bryden & Sons.