Pelicans take flight against Warriors

Pelicans, inspired by a sterling captain’s knock by Carlos Brathwaite, lifted themselves from the bottom of the point standing by defeating fellow cellar dwellers Warriors by six wickets on day four of the BIM 10 cricket tournament at the Desmond Haynes Oval on Saturday.

Having been sent in to bat, Warriors rallied to 104 for four from their 10 overs and had placed themselves in a strong position by reducing Pelicans to 55 for four off 5.4 overs when Brathwaite joined the fray.

The former West Indies skipper, with the assistance of Mario Albert, then proceeded to propel his team to 110 without further loss to win with four balls to spare.

Four sixes and three fours were the main scoring shots in the swashbuckling, 14-ball innings, that dominated the unbroken, match-winning partnership of 55 with Albert who finished 33 not out (26 balls, 4 fours 1 six).

Albert’s crucial innings began after three wickets tumbled with the score on 15. He and opening bat Shian Brathwaite rebuilt the innings in adding 40 before the latter’s dismissal for 25 brought the captain to the crease.

Warriors, who maintained a sluggish rate of scoring at the beginning were given a late boost by Yvan Grant who pounded 20, inclusive of back-to-back sixes off the last over bowled by pacer Chemar Holder. He remained unbeaten on 32 off 17 balls after Zidane Harewood (27), Marradon Bend (17) and Jonathan Carter 12 provided the platform.

In the second match, Voyagers proved no match for a powerful Titans unit who required just 5.2 overs to wipe off the meagre total made by Voyagers who were invited to bat.

The Dwayne Smith-led Voyagers hobbled to 77 for six with medium pacer Kemar Harte (2 for 5 from 2 overs) leading the stifling bowling effort.

Nyeem Young, in the unusual position of opening bat then hit seven maximums in 47 off 17 balls to formalise the second win from three matches for the Titans, with new captain, Aaron Jones coming 18 not out.

Summarised scores:

Match #7: Warriors 104-4 in 10 overs (Yvan Grant 32 n.o., Zidane Harewood 27, Marradon Bend 17, Jonathan Carter 12) Pelicans 110-4 in 9.2 overs (Carlos Brathwaite 42 n.o. (14 balls, 3×4, 3×6), Mario Albert 33 n.o. (26 balls, 4×4, 1×6), Shian Brathwaite 25) Pelicans won by six wickets.

Match #8: Voyagers 77-6 in 10 overs (Giovonte Depeiza 16, Akeem Springer 11, Rashawn Worrell 10) Titans 78-1 in 5.2 overs (Nyeem Young 47 n.o., 17 balls, 7×6), Aaron Jones 18 n.o.) Titans won by nine wickets.  

(GH)