PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – West Indies Emerging Players and Trinidad And Tobago Red Force secured thrilling final overs victories over Guyana Jaguars and Windward Volcanoes, on Day 12 action of the 2019 Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 tournament.

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At Queen’s Park Oval: A third half century of the tournament from Barbados all-rounder Justin Greaves (53) and a solid death overs bowling effort from Jamaican medium pacer Jermaine Levy (3 for 40), were the cornerstones behind the West Indies Emerging players one run win.

Greaves 62 balls knock of four fours and a six, shared in a 89-run third with stand with Joshua DaSilva (39). However when they perished in the space of two overs, the Emerging players slumped from 101-2 to 135-7.

Cameos from Dominic Drakes (18) with two sixes (the son of former West Indies player Vasbert Drakes) and Camarie Boyce (18) with three sixes, propelled them to 167-8 from 30 overs.

Tournament leading wicket taker Keon Harding with 15 wickets at an average of 13.80 struck in the first over en route to the Guyanese franchise side slumping to 88 for six in the 20th over. 

Jonathan Foo’s (67) with his maiden List A fifty was apart of a record stand for the seventh wicket with Jamaican Ramaal Lewis (40), toppling the previous Guyana national record of 82 made by Derek Kallicharran and Kamal Singh against Jamaica in 1983, began to fight back.

However when Foo who was threatening to produce his most significant match winning performance in Caribbean limited overs cricket since his 2010 efforts against Trinidad And Tobago, that led Guyana to now defunct Champions League T20 tournament in South Africa, got out in the final over, that was enough to push the young West Indies side over the line.

“Congratulations to the guys, they are playing some good cricket. Once again Graves and (Joshua) Da Silva batted pretty well rotating the strike which is something we are stressing, even at practice session where we do a lot of drills regarding to rotation of strike”, said coach Floyd Reifer to CWI Media.

Reifer was further complimentary of how the team held their nerve during the aforementioned partnerships between Foo and Lewis.

“It’s a good feeling. Normally in West Indies teams, when pressure comes we tend to lean on the individual (performances), but what is good about these guys is that they are sticking together under pressure.

“Partnerships (batting) happen in cricket, it’s what you do as a fielding unit in those moments. You can see the conversations are happening on the field, if plan A doesn’t work, they resort to B or C.

“This is the third time that Levy has bowled in the final over and done well which will do great for his confidence as a death bowler.

Reifer among his many coaching accomplishments domestically, played a key role in Combined Campuses and Colleges winning last years Super50. While he stopped short of making a comparison with the Emerging players and that side, he is happy with how the team has bought into his philosophy so far.

“While I don’t want to make that comparison, we had a philosophy and brand of cricket that we wanted to play which we delivered to guys. They have bought into and are happy playing it.

“It’s important for West Indies cricket that these guys (Emerging players) have come into this competition and delivered this type of cricket despite the limited preparation.”

At Brian Lara Academy: Trinidad And Tobago Red a Force overcame the rain, due and strong fight from the Windward Islands Volcanoes to win by two runs.

The Volcanoes coached by former Jamaican fast bowler Andrew Richardson made big changes leaving out tournament Captain Kirk Edwards. 

When they were eight down for 134 in the 25th over in the chase, another defeat seemed certain before lower order batsman Ryan John (38) explosive unbeaten knock threaten to pull off a shock victory, before Yannick Ottley secured the tense win with his first List A five wicket haul. 

“It was an exciting game last night and we got the result that we wanted. Batting wise I think we could have scored 30-40 more runs, but things didn’t go our way wanted batting wise”, said Imran Khan to CWI Media.

He continued: “We lost a couple of quick wickets and couldn’t consolidate after that. Credit to the Windwards, they bowled and fielded pretty well so well done to them.

“I think 180 was a par score (to defend), especially bowling second with the wet conditions and due factor. For our spinners gripping the ball was a bit hard. 

“In the first 15 overs they had 90 plus runs and were cruising. Credit must be given to our bowlers, Yannick Ottley with his five wickets, myself and other spinners bowled pretty tight and the fast bowlers managed the death overs well, so overall a total team effort.”

The veteran leg spinner concluded by summarizing what he would like to see the Red Force do for the remaining games.

“We are in the position that we wanted to be at this stage. We have three games left and are not taking anyone for granted.

“Guyana are a top team with a lot of experienced players, so our aim for remaining matches is to win our final three games to maintain our second place position or finish top of the group ahead of the semi-finals.”

Source: CWI Media