Barbados Pride vs T&T Red Force
Venue: Brian Lara Cricket Academy
Result: T&T Red Force won by 78 runs
Scorecard: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/38aaab34-b047-4dbb-89f2-e161fadf2684
Skipper Darren Bravo carved out a brilliant career-best unbeaten hundred as the home team romped to a convincing over Barbados Pride to finish top of the points table on Sunday.
In the final preliminary game of the tournament, the 34-year-old left-hander struck a polished 139 not out off 113 balls to fire the hosts up to a competitive 293-6 off their 50 overs. Off-spinner Sunil Narine, then produced a magical ten-over spell of 4-13, as the visitors were bowled out for 215 all out in the 48th over.
Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein supported with 3-31 from his ten overs as Pride stumbled repeatedly throughout their run chase despite 48 from Roston Chase and 40 from Akeem Jordan in the lower half of the order.
The victory ensured Red Force finished the preliminary stage unbeaten and at the top of the points standings to set up a semi-final showdown with fourth-placed Guyana Harpy Eagles on Wednesday.
“We’ve been playing consistent cricket, we’ve been clinical, sometimes there’s been a hiccup here and there but that’s how the game goes sometimes, We’re playing as a team, and everyone is happy for every member of the team’s success which is most important,” Bravo said after receiving his Player of the Match award.
Barbados, meanwhile, ended third and will take on second-placed Leeward Islands in the second semi-final next Thursday. Captain Shai Hope urged a renewed focus on the semi-final ahead.
“Sometimes you have to give credit where it is due. I thought Darren played a very good innings today,” he said. “We obviously could have bowled a little bit better, especially in the back end but there’s a few areas we can clean up on. I think every total is gettable. As long as one opposition gets it, I think that we can chase down anything.”
Sent in, Red Force got a steady 65-run, opening stand from Kjorn Ottley (36) and Tion Webster (28) before Bravo arrived at number three to control the innings. He struck nine fours and seven sixes, reaching his half-century off 46 balls at the end of the 31st over, before completing his ninth List-A hundred off 94 balls in the 45th over. In the process, Bravo surpassed 6,000 career runs and moved his List A runs tally to 6 102.
UPCOMING MATCHES (Semi-finals at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 1 pm)
Wednesday, 8 November: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs Guyana Harpy Eagles
Thursday, 9 November: Barbados Pride vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes