Date-stamped : 06 Oct97 - 06:09 Sunday, October 5, 1997 Century for Sydney Brian Lara TRINIDAD and Tobago recorded the first victory in Zone A of the Red Stripe Bowl competition, and I must say it was a convincing one. I am also very happy to get a hundred this early in the tournament. This is something that will help my confidence a lot during the remainder of the series. I won the toss, and decided to bat, after witnessing a most unusual method of pitch preparation. The grounds staff at Chedwin Park were required to dry out a wet patch on the pitch, which was at about a good length for a right-hand batsman. They used a cut piece of sheet metal, and they piled some hot "fire coals" on top of it, which drew the moisture out of the ground. I became very inquisitive. As soon as they removed the metal, I checked the affected area with my fingers and am right now nursing a slight burn to my left thumb. Then they rolled and re-rolled the area. After 45 minutes' delay, we were able to start play. I found out this method had not been practised here before. Maybe we could try it the next time we get seepage under the covers at the Queen's Park Oval. We got off to a flying start yesterday with Ragoo and Ganga. We were scoring in excess of six runs per over, then we encountered one of our major problems: the rapid loss of wickets. Ragoo, Ganga and Roberts were all back in the pavilion in the first 15 overs. Our plan is usually one of the first three batsmen must bat through the innings. So, against Bermuda's weak attack it was a bit worrying when that plan was not realised. Myself and Phil met in the 12th over and we were able to put on a match-winning partnership of 153 runs, allowing the remaining batsmen to score freely at the end. Phil had an impressive 59, and my 110 came off 112 balls. My innings was not one from a batsman in form. I struggled early on, and only picked up momentum after crossing 50. But as the old saying goes, "a hundred is a hundred", whichever way it comes. And I'm very thankful. Smith's quickfire 44 not out and Williams's 16 not out ensured that we got to 300, our highest One-day score ever. The bowling department took care of matters in a very professional manner. Dillon started excellently, taking three early wickets, which immediately took the fight out of the Bermudians. We experimented with Hazel (left arm spinner) at the other end with the new ball, and with the field restrictions, he did a great job (10 overs for 15 runs). I was very impressed with Bish's bowling later on in the innings (nine overs for 27 runs). He kept the ball on a better line and length than normal. I myself got in a couple (expensive) overs... just in case we were looking for a sixth bowler. The truth is there was some threat of rain interrupting play, and I had to replace Dillon with Dhanraj, and later on, Hazel with myself to get in the 25 overs as quickly as possible and ensure there would be a result. As you see, two of our top One-day performers, Andre and Dinas, were left out for this match. The reason for this is to get a chance to see Smithy, Ganga and Roberts early on, before deciding on our more in form two of the three for the later, more important matches. It will be a different kettle of fish tomorrow (Sunday): we're coming up against Jamaica. Compared to the first game, there will be a lot more people present, too. And I promise you, they won't be supporting us. Jamaica did all right to salvage a point against the Windward Islands, who seemed to be in total control of their encounter yesterday. From my knowledge of Courtney, he would have had a few things to say to his troops, and we could meet a more focused Jamaican team today. There are some negative vibes in the air, and I expect a few unfavourable remarks to be thrown at me from the crowd. Anyway, I'm here to do a job, and we all know what that is, to bring home the Red Stripe Bowl. We do want to meet Bermuda again in the quarters, which means we're going to play the next two matches with the same must-win attitude. Look out for victory number two. Sydney, yesterday was all dedicated to you. Readers: you can send your cricket tips and suggestions to Jamaica! E-mail the column at laralog@hotmail.com and copy to express@trinidad.net Source :: The Trinidad Express(http://www.trinidad.net/express/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)