Helping to solve cricket argument

by Keith Holder

Cricket arguments can sometimes lead to deep research and fascinating facts.

One such case surfaced last week when I got a call from a well-known former local player seeking details of a Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) limited overs Cup match between long-standing rivals Empire and Spartan.

Now any debate on battles featuring Empire and Spartan can be very gripping. Fortunately, I was able to find a report of the match in question as well as other vital information on the Competition for the particular season. And memories came flooding back.

My research led to the 2000 season when Empire opposed Spartan in the semi-finals of the Barbados Fire & Commercial Insurance Cup 40-over Championship (later known as Sagicor General Super Cup).

In that December 3 match at Bank Hall, Empire won by four wickets off the very last ball.

Chasing 229 for victory in 38 overs after captain Philo Wallace had slammed a stroke-filled, unbeaten century in Spartan’s 228 for two, also off 38 overs, Empire needed seven runs off the final over from left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

At the crease were wicket-keeper/batsman Ricky Hoyte and all-rounder Robin Parris.

Operating from the southern end, Benn managed to keep Parris scoreless off the first two balls. A single was taken to long-on off the third ball and left-hander Hoyte, who made a splendid 51 not out off 45 balls at No. 4, lashed the fourth delivery to the wide long-off boundary for three.

Hoyte then drove the fifth ball to deep cover for a single, leaving Parris with the pressure of scoring two runs from the last delivery.

Amidst tension both on and off the field, Parris opened his shoulders and clouted the ball out of the ground over long-on to ignite celebrations by his teammates and fans. He made 12 not out of 11 balls.

Nicholas Bowen, who scored 67 off 87 balls, played a crucial inning after he and left-hander Jason Gibson (18) added 62 in 12.2 overs for the first wicket.

There were useful contributions of 21 each from Jeremy Alleyne and captain Sherlon Greaves and Alcindo Holder scored 12 off eight balls before he was run out in the 33rd over.

When Shawn Graham was sixth out, brilliantly caught by wicket-keeper Livy Puckerin diving to his right off fast bowler Hattian Graham for five, Empire required 23 runs off 20 balls.

At the start of the penultimate over, 15 runs were needed.

\Seamer Dexter Toppin conceded three runs off the first five balls – there was also an extra – but was then struck for a straight four by Hoyte before the nail-biting last six deliveries.

Leg-spinner Dave Marshall took two for 51 off eight overs.

Hitting the ball powerfully around the wicket, Man Of The Match Wallace took advantage of a couple of chances and ragged fielding to score 125 not out off 134 balls after Spartan lost the toss.

He struck 15 threes and 11 fours.

Wallace added 72 for the first wicket with Wayne Blackman (30) and put on 156 with Corey Yearwood, who timed the ball sweetly in a knock of 44 from 69 balls before Yearwood was dismissed off the last ball of the innings.

The teams were:
Empire – Sherlon Greaves (captain), Nicholas Bowen, Jason Gibson, Jeremy Alleyne, Ricky Hoyte, Alcindo Holder, Shawn Graham, Robin Parris, Marlon Blagrove, Victor Walcott, Patterson Thompson.
Spartan – Philo Wallace (captain), Wayne Blackman, Corey Yearwood, Kerry Lucas, Livy Puckerin, Hattian Graham, Dave Marshall, Dexter Toppin, Sulieman Benn, Ryan Wiggins, Philip Browne.
Umpires: Dalton Holder, Mervyn Jones. Match referee: Carlyle Carter.

In the other semi-final, defending champions Cable & Wireless BET brushed aside Carlton by 10 wickets at Wildey. Carlton, who won the toss, was bowled out for a paltry 63 in 27.5 overs with four batsmen being run out. Cable & Wireless BET took only 8.1 overs to achieve the target.

The Final at Kensington Oval on December 17 was rather one-sided as Cable & Wireless BET triumphed by 157 runs after amassing a record 327 for four off 40 overs. Twenty-two-fours and nine sixes were struck in the innings.

Empire, with a lengthy batting, struggled from early. The first five wickets tumbled for 71 runs by the 18th over and they were eventually restricted to 170 for eight, having been 116 for eight in 21.4 overs.

Captained by batsman Brian Johnson, Cable & Wireless BET were propelled by a breath-taking opening partnership of 104 in just 13.4 overs between Ron Bates and Don O’neal after they were sent in. Bates made 62 off 52 balls with six fours and two sixes, while Man Of The Match O’neal hit 93 off 117 balls including eight fours. He also had 39 singles.

Floyd Reifer scored 52.
The Empire fast bowlers Patterson Thompson and Victor Walcott, who shared the new ball, were hammered with neither taking a wicket.

Thompson conceded 62 runs off four overs including 15 no-balls – his first spell of two overs cost 34 runs – and Walcott 42 runs from four overs.

In the Cable & Wireless BET team were two schoolboys from Deighton Griffith Secondary – Derick Bishop and Kenroy Williams – both of whom were later to become stalwarts at St. Catherine club.

The teams were:
Cable & Wireless BET – Brian Johnson (captain), Ron Bates, Don O’neal, Lonelle Hutson, Floyd Reifer, Anthony Morris, Adrian Brathwaite, Dayne Coppin, Derick Bishop, Kenroy Williams, Corey Collymore.
Empire – Sherlon Greaves (captain), Michael Inniss, Nicholas Bowen, Ricky Hoyte, Roland Holder, Robin Parris, Alcindo Holder, Jeremy Alleyne, Shawn Graham, Victor Walcott, Patterson Thompson.