The Vikings held off Grenada in the final over to win by one run during a close finish in the Super Six stage of the Digicel Twenty/20 Cricket Tournament on Sunday, at the Greenland Grounds.

 

Grenada won the toss and opted to take the field first.

The Vikings posted 193 for 7 from their 20 overs, while Grenada made 192 for 4 in 20 overs.

With the early departure of their captain and opener, Richard Fredericks — the tournament’s leading run scorer, the Vikings went 76 for 5 in the 10th over.

However, a solid partnership of 111 between the newly acquired Kevin Joseph and Yudesh Shivpashad helped boost the Vikings score.

Mr. Joseph’s 50 came from just 26 balls, but he eventually fell to Grenada’s pacer, Irvin Lewis, for 87 runs, which included 10 fours and seven 6s.

Mr. Shivpashad was run out on the final ball of the inning for 37, a knock that saw six 4s and one six in 24 balls.

Mr. Fredericks added 22 runs to the Vikings’ total.

Mr. Lewis finished with 2 for 17 runs from four overs and Anthony Panchoo assisted with 2 for 39 runs from four overs for Grenada.

Needing 194 for victory, Grenada started slowly and was pegged back when veteran opening batsman, Raymond Charles, retired briefly to tend to a leg injury. Mr. Charles returned later in the inning and along with Derrol Redhead produced an 81-run partnership.

Late in the match, the Vikings turned to their veteran spinner, Winston Davis. However, Mr. Redhead hit a straight six and on the next ball, Mr. Davis threw a flatter and quicker delivery that bowled Mr. Redhead on 47 runs, All told, he finished with three 4s and five 6s.

Emmanuel Charles and Raymond needed to score 13 runs from the final two overs to win. Mr. Fredericks allowed just four runs from the over.

Grenada needed 10 runs from the final over to win and the Vikings put former captain Vaden Walker in the game.

Mr. Walker left Grenada needing eight runs from the final two balls of the game.

Mr. Raymond missed the first delivery bowled outside off the stump to send the Vikings into a premature celebration.

Mr. Raymond then smashed the final ball for six, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Vikings walked away with the victory.

In the second match, the Cavaliers, four-time winners, returned with a 106-run victory against the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG).

NTCOG won the toss and elected to have the Cavaliers bat first.

Vishaldev ‘Shines’ Bharrat, the tournament’s second highest run scorer, anchored the batting for the Cavaliers, stroking five 4s and seven 6s for 81 runs.

The Cavaliers reached 247 for 5 from 20 overs. Captain Jagnarine ‘Sugar’ Persaud finished with 47 runs not out, and Mohamed Hassan had 41 runs not out.

Bowling for NTCOG, Timon Robinson finished 2 for 35 from four overs. Trent Belfon, Andrew Richards and Kenron Baptiste picked up a wicket each for NTCOG.

In reply, NTCOG settled for a total of 141 with Mr. Baptiste retiring hurt following an injury to his mouth.

Orlando France was left not out on 30. Ferris Pope and Mr. Belfon added 31 runs each. Dorian Auguiste bowled 2 for 9 from 3 overs, while a wicket each went to Messrs. Persaud, Hassan, Dhanpaul Chrisnanand and Tajram ‘Teddy’ Nankishore.

Games continue this Sunday.

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