 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Trinidad and Tobago ended a 21-year title drought on Sunday when they hammered Barbados by 264 runs to clinch the Carib Beer Cup.
The triumph in the Caribbean's leading first class tournament was a first for skipper Daren Ganga and 36-year-old former West Indies captain Brian Lara, who hailed it as one of the highlights of his long career.
"To beat Barbados in Barbados, to literally take the Cup off their shelf is an amazing feeling," Lara told reporters.
"On the international circuit, playing Australia and beating Australia is real cricket to me. On the regional scene playing Barbados in Barbados and beating them is what it's all about."
Barbados resumed the final day of the four-day match on 112-6, needing an unlikely 412 for victory. Merv Dillon's 5-36
The victory put Trinidad level on points with Barbados at the top of the table but Ganga's side took the title by virtue of winning the head-to-head clash between the teams.
"You have to understand I am now aged 36," said Lara, who contributed 54 and 47 with the bat. "Any sort of success on the playing field would be greeted with uncontrollable emotions because I'm not sure I'll experience it again.
"Barbados and Jamaica are the premier teams in regional cricket. After 21 years to come to Barbados and snatch this victory, and this trophy away from them, is a special occasion for us."
Trinidad's soccer team have won through to the World Cup in Germany this year for the first time.