Solozano bats Powergen to 30 Overs TTCB title

2026-03-24 - 00:25

Top-order batsman Jeremy Solozano scored 75 runs to lead Powergen Penal Cricket Club to its first taste of silverware for the 2026 season, when the Syne Village based team defeated Victoria Cricket Club by 59 runs to win the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) Midweek 30 Overs Tournament at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando on Sunday. While winning the Two Day tournament is not entirely in their own hands, Uthman Muhammad made sure the Penal giants completed the win, by taking it in his own hands with four Victoria wickets when they batted. It all started when Victoria won the toss and sent Powergen in to bat first and the team took the opportunity to put up a competitive score. Victoria had early success when Nicholas Ali induced wicketkeeper-batsman Daniel Williams, opening with the in-form Cephas Cooper, to offer a catch to Damion Joachim for duck in the second ball of the innings. However, Powergen, currently second in the Two-Day Championship table, then got a 63 run partnership when Jeremy Solozano joined his Two-Day opening partner. They went about 63 runs in 10 overs, with Cooper dominating the partnership with 39 that included three sixes and one four in an innings that spanned 32 balls. After his dismissal, when Nicholas Ali got him to step out the crease and stumped by Jeremiah Cruickshank, club legend Jason Mohammed joined Solozano and together added a further 84 runs in 11 overs with Mohammed contributed significantly to the partnership with 38 from 37 before he was out, bowled by Chadeon Raymond. The right-handed Mohammed hit four fours in his knock, and although approaching the twilight of an impressive career, the right handed batsman continued to show why he is still a real asset to the national set up. Solozano was at the time coming into stride as he contributed 43 in only 30 balls during that partnership with Mohammed. With the wickets of Mohammed at 147 and Solozano at 161 in 22.3 overs, Victoria, who beat Queen’s Park in the semi final a week and a half ago, thought they would have been sneaking back in with a chance. Solozano was caught by Raymond off the bowling of Joachim for an impressive 75 from 63 balls that included four fours and three sixes. Powergen continued to pile on the pressure in the back end of the innings, with West Indies all-rounder Navin Bidaisee getting to 32 from 22 balls and Dejourn Charles getting to 18 from 14 as Powergen scored 224 for nine from their 30 overs. Raymond was Victoria’s best bowler, the former Queen’s Park man took three for 43 from six overs, while Nicholas Ali had three for 32 from six overs and Jovan Ali took two for 39 from his six overs. Set 225 to win, Victoria were plunged to 29 for three in 6.5 overs, as Johann Jeremiah (0), Jordan Warner (6) and Jeremiah Cruickshank (6) were all back in the pavilion, with Jon Russ Jagessar, Avinash Mahabirsingh and Shaaron Lewis all taking a wicket each. Then promising batsman Leornardo Julien and Eton Bhal put together a 51-run partnership that sought to rebuild the innings and threaten Powergen’s bowlers. Julien looked comfortable for his 29, and the right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, who was once West Indies captain Shai Hope’s backup for the ODI series against England in 2023, hit three fours and a six before Mahabirsingh ended his 37-ball knock with the score on 80. Mahabirsingh finished with two for 30 from six overs. Bhal was the next to go for a fighting 40 from 36 balls as Muhammad got his first wicket. He hit four fours in his knock and departed with the score on 95. The tall fast bowler then got the wickets of Aaron Nanan (13), Nicholas Ali (0), and Eric Garcia (28 from 16 with three sixes) to finish with four for 36 from five overs, with his extra bounce doing the trick. Leg spinner Bidaise got the solitary wicket of Damion Joachim (14), and left-arm pacer Lewis returned for the wicket of Chadeon Raymond to finish with two for 19 from 5.4 overs as Victoria were bowled out for 165 in 27.4 overs. Jeremy Solozano was named the Man of the Match as Powergen completed mission #1 for the season in claiming the first trophy up for grabs and $45,000 first prize. The teams will now refocus their attention on the Two Day League, with the final two rounds starting this weekend. Summarised Scores Powergen 224 /9 (30 overs) (Jeremy Solozano 75; Cephas Cooper 39; Chadeon Raymond 3-43) vs Victoria 165 /27.4 overs) (Eton Bhal 40; Leonardo Julien 29; Uthman Muhammad 4-36). Result – Powergen Won by 59 runs. Man of the Match- Jeremy Solozano