THE Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) T10 Blast 2021 is on the home stretch with two semifinal showdowns slated for tomorrow and the final on Friday 14th May at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG).
Newcomers, Micoud Eagles captain by two-time ICC World T20 Champion Daren Sammy is the first team to secure a spot into the semifinal round.
Micoud Eagles will play their final preliminary match today in Group A at 12.30 p.m. against last year’s semifinalist Central Castries Mindoo Heritage (CCMH) who is in a spot of bother with one win under their belt and two defeats. The CCMH is currently fourth with 2 points with a Net Run Rate (NRR) -1.185.
Micoud Eagles in the progression round defeated Laborie Bay Royals by 23 runs; won over Soufriere Sulfur Stars by 9 wickets and defeated Vieux Fort South Sunrisers by 8 wickets.
In the Playoff, they won over defending champions South Castries Lions by 6 wickets; defeated MabouyaConstrictior by 8 wickets and Vieux Fort North Raiders by 25 runs.
At present they lead Group A with 6 points and a Net Run Rate of 3.206.
In today’s second matchup a Group B encounter is scheduled for 2.30 p.m., Mon Repos Stars plays Babonneau Leatherbacks.
All eyes will be on this encounter as Mon Repos is currently fourth in the group with one win from three matches, 3 points and a Net Run Rate of – 0.415. A win over Babonneau will land them on five points booting out last year’s semifinalist, Gros Islet Cannon Blusters in championship contention.
Gros Islet has played all their preliminary matches in Group B, and currently sits in second position with two wins and 2 losses, four points and a Net Run Rate of 0.862.
It must be noted that Choiseul Clay Pots and Soufriere played their final preliminary round match yesterday in Group B. a win is needed for either team to secure a semifinal berth.
Choiseul previously led the group with 4 points at a Net Run Rate of 2.280, a win over Soufriere will land them on 6 points; on the other hand, if Soufriere wins, they will go through. Soufriere has 1 win and 1 lost; they are on four points and a Net Run Rate of 0.500.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, in matches played on Monday 10th, Micoud Eagles defeated Vieux Fort North Raiders (VFNR) by 25 runs.
Scores: Micoud Eagles 129 for 4, Murlan Sammy 75 which included 4 fours and 8 sixes from 27 deliveries at a strike rate of 277. 78. Other contributor with the bat, Earvin Frederick 18.
Bowling for VFNR, Al Prince picked up 3 for 18 and Joshua Mann 1 for 18.
Chasing 130 for victory, VFNR reached 104 for the loss of 2 wickets with Kurt Edward top scoring with 56 and Junior Peter not out 22.
Bowling for Micoud Eagles, Travis Gifford took 1 for 19.
In the second encounter between Mon Repos and Soufriere, match abandoned due to rain, both teams collected 1 point. Mon Repos batting first scored 106 for 4; Christian Charlery 31, Sadrack Descartes 31 not out, Kevin Augustin 14 and Sabinus Emmanuel 14.
Bowling for Soufriere, Jervan Charles 1 for 10 and Dalius Monrose 1 for 16.
In reply, Soufriere 39 for 2 after 4 overs.
Bowling for Mon Repos, Sadrack Descartes 1 for 11 and Hazell Charlery 1 for 7.
On Sunday 9th, Game 1, Gros Islet Cannon Blasters (GICB) defeated Babonneau Leatherbacks by 50 runs after Babonneau won the toss and elected to field.
Scores: GICB 131 for 8 in their allotted 10 overs with West Indies Under-19 ICC World Cup captain Kimani Melius leading the charge with a blistering 86 which included 9 fours and 6 sixes from 29 deliveries at a strike rate of 296.55. Other contributors with the bat, Vernillius Gabriel 14 and Khan Elcock 12.
Bowling for Babonneau Leatherbacks, Shervon Joseph 2 for 7, Wilfred Nehemiah 1 for 13, Qwaine Henry 1 for 18 and Stuart Calderon 2 for 20.
Requiring 131 for victory, Babonneau Leatherbacks reached 81 for 3 in the allotted 10 overs with Thomas Caleb 41, and Zayee Antoine 28.
Bowling for GICB, Kymani Sexius 1 for 15, Dornan Edward 1 for 16 and Udel Preville 1 for 20.
In the second match, Choiseul Clay Pots (CCP) chased down 119 runs to defeat Mon Repos Stars by 8 wickets with 5 balls to spare.
Scores: Mon Repos 118 for 4. Craig Emmanuel 29, Sadrack Descartes 24, Hazell Charlery 24 not out and Sabinus Emmanuel 13.
Bowling for CCP, Valange St. Ange 2 for 12 and Alvinaus Simon 2 for 19.
Choiseul Clay Pots in reply, 123 for 2 in 9.1 overs. Junior Henry run out 37, Audy Alexander stump Alvinaus Simon for 37 off the bowling of Kevin Augustin, the pair added 77 for the 1st wicket in 6.5 overs.
Vince Smith who came in at No.3, remained 17 not out off 5 deliveries and Jason Simon 25 not out from 7 deliveries which included three towering sixes.
At one point Choiseul needed 29 from 12 legal deliveries, the tide turned in their favor when Smith and Simon scored 27 in the penultimate over bowled by Craig Emmanuel from the Gros Islet end.
Bowling for Mon Repos, Kevin Augustin 1 for 21.
