South Castries Lions (SCL) emerged champions of the inaugural Dream X1 Saint Lucia T10 Blast when they defeated Mon Repos Stars by 33 runs in the finals played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG) on Tuesday 7th July. The tournament was organized by the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA).
Winning the toss, SCL elected to bat first and went on to score 147 for the loss of 1 wicket with former West Indies opening batsman Johnson Charles going berserk when he launched an assault on the Mon Repos Stars (MRS) bowling attack scoring the tournament’s second hundred.
Charles’ 108 came off 40 balls that included twelve 4s and 8 towering 6s at a strike rate of 270, Tonius Simon made 29 off 18 deliveries and the pair added 132 for the second wicket. The batsman out, Alex Antoine for 5, bowled by former West Indies ODI slow left arm orthodox spinner Garey Mathurin with the score on 15.
Bowling for Mon Repos Stars, Garey Mathurin took 1 for 22 off his two overs.
Chasing 148 for victory, MRS started on a positive note keeping sight of the required rate of 14.80 runs per over despite losing the wickets of Shervin Charles for 4, score 15 for 1; Kervin Augustin for 6 score 21 for 2 and Sabinus Emmanuel who top scored with 35 off 16 deliveries, score 62 for 3 after 4.1 overs.
Hazel Charlery chipped in with 23; Mervin Wells (15) and Evanus Emmanuel (10) were the other contributors with the bat.
Bowling for South Castries, Tarrique Edward picked up 2 for 26; Kester Charlemangne 1 for 6; Alex Antoine 1 for 19 and Daniel Jn Baptiste 1 for 24.
Johnson Charles was adjudged Man of the Match for his 108 not out.
For the third place playoff, Gros Islet Canon Blasters (GICB) decided to bat first versus Central Castries Mindoo Heritage (CCMH) and scored 108 for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 10 overs. West Indies Under 19 captain Kimani Melius continued his good run on form in the tournament top scoring with 37 off 21 deliveries that included five 6s; Garvin Serieux made 28 off 11 balls and Larry Edward 16.
Fall of wickets: 0 for 1 Vernillius Gabriel; 28 for 2 Tarryck Gabriel; 72 for 3 Kimani Melius; 72 for 4 Jard Goodman and 79 for 5 Dane Edward.
Bowling for CCMH, Rahym Joseph picked up 2 for 13, Tyler Sookwa 1 for 12; Sanjay Hayle 1 for 15 and Jayden Elibox 1 for 18.
Requiring 109 for victory, CCMH were off on a flying start getting to 34 before losing their first wicket that of Gaspard Prospere lbw to Garvin Serieux Jr for 19 after 2.3 overs. It was soon 44 for 2 when Ackeem Auguste went, caught by Vernillius Gabriel off the bowling of Tarryck Gabriel for 9 inside the fourth over.
Stephen Naitrum was next and out bowled Garvin Serieux Jr for 22, score 60 for 3. Jamaal James did not last too long as he was caught by Dane Edward off the bowling of Larry Edward for 3, 76 for 4. Captain Keddy Lesporis was the last man out caught by Tarryck Gabriel off the bowling of Kimani Melius for 24, 86 for 5 in over No. 9.
Jaden Elibox (16 not out) and Tyler Sookwa (3 not out) just failed to take it across the finish line, scores level at 108 for 5 in their allotted 10 overs.
Bowling for GICB, Garvin Serieux took 2 for 11; Tarryck Gabriel 1 for 5; Kimani Melius 1 for 15 and Larry Edward 1 for 21.
The match was then decided by the mandatory Super Over. Central Castries batted first and scored 8 for 1, losing the wicket of opening batsman Stephen Naitram.
Needing 9 for victory, CCMH fast bowler Dillon John was on target as he picked up two Gros Islet wickets for 3 runs to seal a much deserved victory for his team.
Man of the match – Dillan John – 2 for 3 in Super Over.
In awards presented: Player of the Tournament – Alex Antoine of SCL with 11 wickets and 179 runs; Emerging Youth Player – Keon Gaston of MRS.
For their third-place finish, CCMH received $1500.00 and bronze medals; losing finalist MRS picked up $2500.00, trophy and silver medals, while the South Castries Lions went home with the championship trophy, gold medals and $3500.00.
Former West Indies / ICC T20 champion (2012 and 2016) Daren Sammy, captain of SCL also presented cash awards to his team.
In his brief remarks, SLNCA President Carol Henry took the time out to thank the players and teams for their participation and support.
Carol pointed out that the high quality of cricket exhibited at the DSCG throughout the tournament which also included the likes of Daren Sammy, Johnson Charles and Kimani Melius as well as other marquee players added tremendous value to the showpiece.
He also went on to thank the various sponsors: Dream X1, National Lotteries Authority, Massy Stores, Flow, Daren Sammy and Caribbean Grains for their contribution.
The Dream X1 Saint Lucia T10 Blast will continue up until 2025.
