Dominant Jamaica wins NCB T20 Challenge Trophy

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 19 December 2016

2016 NCB T20 Challenge Trophy Champions: Jamaica.

Jamaica romped to an emphatic 86-run victory in the finals of the 2016 NCB T20 Challenge Trophy at the Smith Road Oval on Sunday, 18 December.

After winning the toss, Jamaica’s captain Paul Manning opted to bat first. Opener Patrick Herron went in the second over with only 10 runs on the board, two balls after hitting Kevin Bazil over long on for six.

In came Ainsley Hall to join Deno McInniss. The pair appeared comfortable at the crease, hitting boundaries at will. They added 30 before Hall was run out for 17, cutting short what appeared to be a promising partnership.

McInniss spared no wrath on the Guyana bowlers.

Conroy Wright had a run-a-ball 22, as he supported McInniss, who mercilessly attacked Guyana’s bowlers until being caught by Navim Budram off the bowling of Kevon Bazil for 56 with 99 runs on the board. His innings featured six maximums.

Manning joined Troy Taylor and picked up where McInniss left off. His big hitting brought 26, including two sixes and a four off 13 deliveries before the 20 overs were up. Taylor scored a competent 18 in mainly a supporting role.

Jamaica laid a solid foundation with 156 for 4. “We came out with a positive mentality. Deno at the top gave us a brilliant start and myself, Conroy [Wright] and Troy [Taylor] just went out there and put on the finishing touches [to the innings],” Manning, the Jamaica skipper, told CaymanSportsBuzz.com.

Guyana would have to pull off the highest run chase of the tournament to win the title. That was not to be as Guyana’s innings never really got going. Manning, with the adrenaline flowing, decided to open the attack with his spin bowling.

Victorious skipper: Manning starred with bat and ball to lead Jamaica.

“I think my blood was pumping and my confidence was really high. So, as the leader of the team, I decided to take leadership and take the new ball and give my team a positive start,” he said.

Guyana’s openers Ian Rotsey and Alistair Ifill flirted with thoughts of laying the foundation for a successful run chase but those disappeared when Ifill was caught behind off the bowling of Corey Cato, for the first of his two wickets, ending a 14-run opening partnership.

There was a constant procession of Guyana’s batsmen to and from the middle, as wickets fell cheaply. There was a brief hope of stability when the Bazil twins, Kevin and Kevon, got together but six wickets had already fallen and the scoreboard only showed 39 runs.

The Bazil twins provided the only semblance of a partnership for Guyana.

They added 18 runs before Kevin was caught by Wright off the bowling of Wayne Cato for 13. Kevon managed 18 before, he joined the other dismissed batsmen. Guyana had long lost any hope of a dramatic comeback and were eventually bowled for 70, giving Jamaica an 86-run win in a dominant performance.

Manning, who claimed three scalps for 19 runs off his four overs to add to his contributions with the bat, was named the finals man of the match. Corey Cato and Adrian Wright took two wickets apiece.

McInnis, who starred with the bat at the top of the order throughout the tournament, was named the most valuable player of the 2016 NCB T20 Challenge Trophy.

Tournament MVP Deno McInniss with NCB (Cayman) Ltd Managing Director, Phillip Harrison.

Earlier in the day, Jamaica got by Cayman Islands and Guyana beat World Stars. Other teams participating in the tournament were Barbados, India and Sri Lanka.

Next on the agenda for Cayman Cricket is focusing the efforts of a training squad on preparation for national duty.

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