It can easily be referred to as ‘the battle of the Powell’s.’
Kieran Powell, former Leewards Hurricanes Captain, in one corner and Rovman Powell, current Jamaica Scorpions Captain, in the other.
Both teams needed a win to secure a semifinal berth, but the Jamaica team was under more pressure, as they not only had to win but win with a scoring run rate of over 9 runs per over.
The Jamaica team won the toss and elected to send the Leewards in to bat first, on the Conaree track. This was more than likely a ploy to establish the target they had to chase. The Leewards, after the early loss of Montcin Hodge, were large and in charge with Kieran Powell and Amir Jangoo, featuring in a wonderful century stand.
However, when Powell was bowled attempting an ill-fated scoop, just after he had secured his century, the wheels virtually came off the Leewards’ wagon. 181 for 1, soon became 182 for 4, with Derval Greene just missing out on a hat trick— then 199 for 5. The Leewards eventually got to 255 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs.
A lot of the Cricket pundits felt that it was not enough.
When the Jamaica team responded, they seemed totally out of it at 25 for 3. Enter Skipper Rovman Powell. He proceeded to cause the statisticians to do some head-scratching, as he more than likely tumbled a number of records, en route to his second century of the tournament. He took a mere 38 balls to reel off the stunning hundred, with 13 fours and 7 sixes! The people of Conaree must have wondered if they were experiencing another tornado.
However, when he got ravenous and got out, chasing after a wide delivery, the Jamaica Scorpions, all but gave up the ghost. They managed to get within 13 runs of the required target and failing to do so, will now take their final flight home for this year, while the Leewards would have booked a flight to the semifinals in Trinidad.
Summarized scores:
Leewards 255 for 8 in 50 overs: Kieran Powell 105; Amir Jangoo 69; Terrance Warde 26
Oshane Thomas 3 for 59; Dennis Bulli 2 for 48; Derval Greene 2 for 52
Jamaica 242 all out in 28.3 overs: Rovman Powell 106; Jamie Merchant 30; Derval Greene 22
Quinton Boatswain 4 for 85; Jason Campbell 2 for 34; Sheeno Berridge 2 for 62; Terrance Warde 1 for 20
Leewards Hurricanes won by 13 runs
Rovman Powell-man of the match
The group stage of the Super 50 Cup comes to an end today Monday, with three matches on the cards.
Group A play ends, when deposed champions Combined Campuses & Colleges face Canada in a daytime game, starting at 9 a.m. at Conaree. This game will be webcast “live” on the CWI website, www.windiescricket.com, and the Windies Cricket You Tube channel.
Group B play also ends, when hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force meet West Indies Emerging Players in a day/night, feature game, starting at 1:30 p.m. at Queen’s Park Oval. This game will be televised “live” on ESPN Caribbean in the West Indies.
A few miles due south, Guyana Jaguars battle United States in another day/night contest, starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. This game will also be webcast “live” on the CWI website, www.windiescricket.com and the Windies Cricket You Tube channel.