BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Leeward Islands Hurricanes captain Jahmar Hamilton said he has kept his positive attitude, though the runs have not flowed from his bat during the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup.
Hamilton was part of a record, fifth wicket stand with former Hurricanes captain Devon Thomas that carried the team to a six-wicket win over Combined Campuses & Colleges on Tuesday at the Conaree Cricket Centre.
Hamilton struck seven fours and three sixes in 77 not out from 114 balls and Thomas hit nine fours and one six to lead the way with an unbeaten 78 from 91 balls, earning his second Player of the Match award for the tournament, to lead a successful run chase for the Hurricanes in the Group A game.
Thomas and Hamilton shared 159 – unbroken – for the fifth wicket to revive the Hurricanes, after they stumbled to 32 for four in the eighth over, returning the hosts to winning ways following two successive losses against group leaders Barbados Pride.
The partnership between Thomas and Hamilton established a new mark for the Hurricanes, eclipsing a stand of 136 between Rahkeem Cornwall and Terance Warde against Guyana in February 2018 at the Coolidge Cricket ground.
It also set an overall record for the West Indies Super50 Cup, displacing a stand of 147 between Andre McCarthy and Jermaine Blackwood of Jamaica Scorpions against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force six years ago at Sabina Park in Jamaica capital.
Hamilton spoke to CWI Media following the game and said the Hurricanes remain confident they can reach the semi-finals in Trinidad. . .
On the importance of the result:
It was important. We had lost two games back-to-back to Barbados, but to come back from that was great. We lost a few wickets early, but Devon and I we toughed it out and weathered the situation. Their spinners bowled pretty well, but we knew if we got through that period, everything would become easier.
On how special his innings was:
It was about backing my ability. I was not out of form. I was not getting runs, but it was about staying positive and keeping it simple. I just gave myself a chance at the crease, took little risk and it paid off.
On handling the pressure of team being 32-4:
There were no nerves. It was just about trying to rebuild between me and Devon. We kept talking to each other and batted like we were the last wicket pair. We just kept batting. We could not be reckless. There were a few good overs in between that we respected and capitalised when they gave us the bad balls.
On the confidence he drew from his performance:
The confidence is always there. I am a confident person. It is about putting the pieces together and they did in this game. It is about being confident all the time, when things are going your way, and when they are not going your way. I have to remain positive and keep the team spirit going.
On the result and remaining games:
It was a good win, but we are going to take it one game at a time. We are going to play positively and put our best foot forward.
-CWI
