By Isaac Lockett
The Jennings Tigers started Day 6 at Cool and Smooth T20 by playing their third match in three days, facing off against the Empire Nation. The Nation had two rest days yesterday following their win against the Bethesda Golden Eagles during Saturday’s triple-header; it did not take long for them to refind their match form. Opening batter Mikyle Louis, who has been around the St. Kitts And Nevis Patriots side, looked commanding at the crease as he and Scotland international Matthew Cross put on a partnership of 124 off 65 balls. Cross, who batted at three for the Nation, put in a performance that fans have become accustomed to after watching him on the international stage scoring 53 off 37.
But it was Louis who took centre stage during the contest scoring a rapid-fire 77 off 30 balls during an inning that consisted of nine boundaries and four huge maximums. For the Tigers, Glenton Williams impressed with the ball finishing with figures of 2-24 from his four overs; but it did not stop the Nation from reaching an imposing 191-6.
The Nation then bowled with intent and control, preventing the Tigers from keeping up with the required run rate. Wickets fell at regular stages, with Nathan Edward (2-21), Darren Nedd (2-20) and Micah McKenzie (2-21) sharing two wickets each, while Justin Athanaze (1-13) bowled economically, conceding 13 runs from his four overs. Lachlan Bangs scored 27 runs off 27 balls during the chase, top scoring for the Tigers. But in the end, the Jennings Tigers found themselves 78 runs short at the end of their 20 overs.
During the day’s second game, the Liberta Blackhawks were looking to maintain their 100% winning record against the Piggots Crushers. The Crushers won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping they could set a target that would put pressure on the Blackhawks’ chase. After an opening partnership between Essan Warner (21 off 25) and Trinidadian Kristan Kallicharan (21 off 14) reached 40 within five overs, the Crushers looked like they were on course for a big total.
However, the Blackhawks’ have a quality spin bowling unit and were bowling in friendly conditions. Andre Bailey (1-11), Kofi James (2-16) and Hayden Walsh Jr. quickly took the momentum away from the batting side. West Indies international Walsh Jr. wrote his name into the 2023 record books, picking up the tournament’s first five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5-21 from his four overs. The bowling effort saw the Crushers set the defending champions a target of 123 to win.
Jamaica Scorpions opening batter Leroy Lugg then took centre stage for the Blackhawks. Lugg got the chase off to a flying start scoring 30 runs from 18 balls, while Kofi James showed patience at the other end scoring 32 off 30. Scotland international Chris Greaves took the wickets of James and Lugg. With the chase sitting at a precarious position with two new batters at the crease, Karima Gore (34* off 25) and Andre Bailey (16* off 21) ensured that the Blackhawks got home comfortably by eight wickets.
