Windwards Volcanoes reach NAGICO Super-50 semi-finals

The Windwards Volcanoes topped Group B of the NAGICO Super-50 cricket competition, and head to the semi-finals to face off with the Barbados Pride this Thursday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.{{more}}

The four-island team completed the preliminary round in St Kitts on 18 points from six matches, accumulated from four wins one loss and a no decision.

Like the Windwards Volcanoes, the Guyana Jaguars tallied 18 points from their six matches; however, the Volcanoes had tamed the Jaguars in both head-to-head clashes, hence gained the top place in the group.

A Sunil Ambris knock of 74 set the platform for the Volcanoes’ total of 243 for 6 from their 49 overs in their last group stage match on Sunday, at the St Paul’s venue in St Kitts.

The right–handed Vincentian scored his runs from 84 balls, in which he counted five fours and a six.

Ambris shared in a 75 – run alliance with Andre Fletcher – 43, for the fifth wicket. Ambris and Tyrone Theophile, who contributed 35, had earlier realized for the fourth wicket. Kyle Mayers also weighed in with 30.

Bowling for the Hurricanes, Quinton Boatswain had 2 for 31 and Daron Cruickshank picked off 2 for 47.

The Hurricanes, though, let an early dominance slip, to fall short by five runs, as their innings closed at 238 for 9 from their 49 overs.

Well placed at 167 for 3, needing another 77 from 11 overs, the Hurricanes’ response fell flat.

Orlando Peters scored 77, in which he struck five fours; Nkrumah Bonner – 35 and Sherwin Peters had initially given the Hurricanes the upper hand.

Left arm medium pacer Delorn Johnson gathered 2 for 36 and Mervyn Matthew – 2 for 56, to thwart the Hurricanes’ batting strength.

The close encounter characterized the Windwards Volcanoes sojourn in the competition, having eked out a one-run win over the Guyana Jaguars on the Duckworth/Lewis method in their first match.

Their second match with the Jaguars saw the Volcanoes’ lower order of Shane Shillingford and Keron Cottoy blasting 42 from four overs, to win by two wickets with three balls to spare.

Also against the Leewards on the first round, the Volcanoes left it late again to cross the line by one wicket and three balls to spare.

The Volcanoes had their first meeting with the CCC Marooners and suffered a 91-run loss.

Before the Windwards take on Barbados on Thursday, defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (winners of Group A) meet the Guyana Jaguars (second in Group B) in the other half of the semi-finals on Wednesday at the same Queen’s Park Oval venue.

Both semi-finals are day/night affairs, beginning at 1.30 p.m.

Winners of the semi finals face off in the grand finale on Saturday from 1.30 p.m., also at Queen’s Park Oval.

Sunday is the reserve day, in the event that Saturday is rained out or otherwise affected adversely.