USA gave hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force a few scares in a well fought chase at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain but the quality of West Indian international batsmen Darren Bravo and Jason Mohammed proved to be the difference between the sides in the USA’s 6th Super50 group game today.

Even though USA were coming off a win against the West Indies Emerging Players, USA continued to ring the changes as they have done every match so Captain Saurabh Netravalkar returned but was again frustrated as at first rain caused a significant delay and a reduction to 45 Overs per side in the day-night clash.

Netravalkar won the toss and chose to bat first but the pitch didn’t prove easy to bat on at any stage throughout the match and took spin from early in the day with Akeal Hosein’s quicker delivery finding a way through Ian Holland’s defense after he was promoted to open. When Xavier Marshall, Aaron Jones and Monank Patel all fell for single figure scores and Steven Taylor was adjudged LBW for 29, USA were in serious trouble at 49 for 5.

USA yet again showed the depth in their batting line-up and this time it was Karima Gore who scored an impressive 40 to rescue the innings, he combined well first with Nisarg Patel and then with Timil Patel to bring the score up to 137 when he was dismissed. There was pleasing late momentum for USA then as Cameron Stevenson continued his good form with the bat as he smashed 32 off 21 deliveries including a huge six to force USA up to 176 for 9.

Although the score might have been a little under par, it did give enough for USA captain Netravalkar to work with and it was Netravalkar himself who made the early breakthrough, and when Karima Gore continued his wicket taking form just a couple of overs later, Trinidad were wobbling at 17 for 2 in the 17th over.

Standing in USA’s way were three West Indian international batsmen though as Kyle Hope combined strongly with Darren Bravo in a 50 partnership that swung the game back the hosts way. Steven Taylor produced a beautiful off-break to bowl Hope though and give USA hope but that was as good as it got for USA in the wicket taking department.

Netravalkar tried 8 different bowlers in all and although it was a disciplined and tight bowling performance backed up by good fielding from the USA outfielders, further chances weren’t forthcoming as Mohammad who had made a century in the first clash between the sides joined Bravo to compile an unbroken 88 run partnership that saw Trinidad move into prime position to seal a Super50 semi-final spot.

For USA they can now no longer reach the semi-finals but still have two group matches remaining as they continue preparations for next month’s ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 internationals vs Scotland and the UAE.

Score in brief:

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force beat USA by 7 wickets at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad

USA 176 for 9, 45 Overs (Karima Gore 40, Cameron Stevenson 32, Patel 31*, Elmore Hutchinson 21)

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 177 for 3, 41.5 Overs (Darren Bravo 80*, Jason Mohammed 38*, Kyle Hope 33, Steven Taylor 1 for 24)

Team USA’s schedule for the Super 50 is as follows:

November 9 USA vs West Indies Emerging Players – Lost by 6 Wickets
November 11 USA vs Guyana Jaguars – Lost by 13 runs
November 13 USA vs Windward Island Volcanoes – Lost by 43 runs
November 15 USA vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force – Lost by 43 runs
November 19 USA vs West Indies Emerging Players – Won by 43 runs
November 21 USA vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force – Lost by 7 wickets
November 23 USA vs Windward Island Volcanoes
November 25 USA vs Guyana Jaguars

See the full schedule by clicking here.

Team USA squad:

Saurabh Netravalkar (C – Marin 1, Northern California Cricket Association)
Steven Taylor (VC – Sheffield Cricket Club, New York Metropolitan Cricket League)
Karima Gore (Antigua)
Ian Holland (Hampshire, England)
Akshay Homraj (Galaxy Cricket Club, Eastern American Cricket Association)
Elmore Hutchinson (Caribbean CC, Southern California Cricket Association)
Aaron Jones (Atlantis Cricket Club, New York Metropolitan Cricket League)
Nosthush Kenjige (Atlantis Cricket Club, New York Metropolitan Cricket League)
Xavier Marshall (Triggers Cricket Club, Houston Cricket League)
Monank Patel (Freedom Cricket Club, Cricket League of New Jersey)
Nisarg Patel (Vijayta Cricket Club, Southern California Cricket Association)
Sagar Patel (Indian Lions, ArkTenn Cricket League)
Timil Patel (Vijayta Cricket Club, Southern California Cricket Association)
Jasdeep Singh (Smashers Cricket Club, Cricket League of New Jersey)
Cameron Stevenson (Carlton Cricket Club, Australia)
Rusty Theron (Potomac Cricket Club, Washington Cricket League)*

*Rusty Theron will join the squad from Game 5 onwards

#WeAreUSACricket