Chasing not on the cards in Challenge Trophy

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 7 December 2016

Sunil Sunil top-scored for Guyana.

Solid top order batting set up wins for Jamaica, Guyana and World Stars in the NCB T20 Challenge Trophy last Sunday (4 December). In all three matches, the teams that batted first won, as their opponents could not reach competitive totals put on the board for them to chase.

World Stars and India met at the Jimmy Powell Oval in West Bay. Batting first, World Stars racked up 134 for nine wickets off their 20 overs. A solid opening partnership from Jalon Linton (43) and Al Shields (26) set the platform for the innings. Sam Suberan added 18 and Basil Legore 17. Ravindra Kareka was the pick of the India bowlers, taking two wickets for 19 runs off his four overs.

India’s response never really got going and they were unable to build any momentum to seriously challenge the World Star’s total. Akhilesh Gavde was India’s top batsman with 17 but it was Basil Legore who had a brilliant all-round game taking four wickets for 17 runs that broke the back of the India batting line-up. Andra Taylor also had a good day with the ball, taking three for 17. India eventually folded for 87 all out, as World Stars were easy winners by 47 runs.

World Stars now has two wins in the two matches the team has played.

Alastair Ifill scored 25 and took three wickets for Guyana.

In the first game at the Smith Road Oval, Guyana and Sri Lanka battled in a game that both teams needed to win to advance. Sri Lanka won the toss and insert Guyana who cruised to a total of 123 for 3 off their allotted 20 overs. Big hitter Sunil Sunil struck 34 after being dropped early in his innings. Openers Ian Rotsey and Alistair Ifill chipped in with 29 and 25 respectively. They shared a 46-run opening stand. For Sri Lanka Nishata took two wickets for 20 off 3 overs.

Sri Lanka were bowled for 48 all out in 14 overs, as the Guyana bowlers took turns in dismantling the Sri Lanka batting line-up. Kevin Basil took three wickets for six runs off his four overs. His twin brother, Kevon Basil and Alistair Ifill, each claimed three wickets for 10 runs off three overs.

Guyana won by 75 runs.

Next up at Smith Road Oval was Barbados taking on tournament favourites, Jamaica.

Jamaica was put into bat and blasted their way to 146 for 4 in 20 overs. Deno McInnis was in good form stroking 52 with three fours and two sixes. Ainsley Hall narrowly missed out on a half-century getting 46 and Conroy Wright enjoyed the 32 he got at the back end of the innings. For Barbados, Marlon Hoyte took two wickets for 27 off his four overs.

Ainsley Hall scored 46 for Jamaica.

Barbados never seemed to have had the appetite to chase such a big total and was off to a slow start on a wearing pitch. Kirkpatrick Clarke eventually got 40, Oneil Gray 26 and veteran Pearson Best chipped in with 23 as Barbados reached 112 for four off their allotted 20 overs. It was a tall ask to chase down such a high total but the Barbados batsmen got some time in the middle after a disappointing outing a week earlier. Paul Manning took two wickets for 12 runs as Jamaica cruised to victory by 34 runs.

In the games coming up on 11 December, Cayman Islands will take on Sri Lanka at Jimmy Powell Oval, Jamaica will play World Stars, and Barbados will try to get their first points against India – both games at the Smith Road Oval.