The ABCA 10 Splash Tournament has been a breath of fresh air for supporters of local cricket. Thanks to the approval by the Ministry of Health and Sports, the competition has started off with great excitement.
After 16 games played, we have seen quite a bit of drama in the middle. Both fans and teams have been bemused at some of the rules for the competition due to some results.
So far we have seen some players return to form and others have flopped. With that being said, we have seen some dominating performances by top national players such as Kofi James, Orlando Peters, Stanny Simon, and others.
“Wah Cud Ah Cause Dis”
It is funny enough that the teams at the top leading both groups are the Spartans and the Crushers who many have claimed “already booked their semi-final spots” and both sport orange coloured uniforms. It would be quite interesting if both teams clash in the second round.
However, some interesting things can transpire for the next four games. Therefore, it is safe to say that no team has officially cemented a place in the second round, due to the head to head rules which could present a problem if 3 teams end up on 12 points somehow.
In Group A, Rising Sun are on 12 with one win away from booking a semi-final spot. However, Jennings and Liberta are on 8 points each from 3 outings. With Jennings and Spartans to clash and Liberta to face Combined Schools, we may see some dramatic turn of events in these last two games of the group.
A situation arises in Group B with Pigotts in first place on 12 points, registering 3 wins and one loss. But New Winthorpes Lions and Bethesda Golden Eagles are both on 8 points with 2 wins and a loss each, while Empire Nation is on 4 points with two losses and a win.
What is needed for these teams to advance to book a semi-final spot? ALOT! Here goes:
GROUP A
Rising Sun Spartans have won all the battles presented by their opponents. They have not been posed any real threat from the other teams. However, they might meet their match come Tuesday night. With Orlando Peters returning to form and leading the runs chart, he may be the man standing in their way from comfortably going over to the second round.
Spartans have been able to limit their opponents to small totals and easily chase them down. However, should Peters get the support that he got from D’ahri Francis in their previous encounter where the pair put on the first-century partnership of the tournament, it could set up an interesting climax to the group.
Liberta Blackhawks is expected to beat the Combined Schools. The Schools have had a rather lethargic approach to the competition that many are wondering why they are even trying. It has been some dismal performances from the group of students so far, not being able to score more than 50 runs in their recent outings.
The Blackhawks are expected to roll up on Tuesday afternoon and eat the schoolboys’ lunches with little trouble. Weather permitting, Liberta will move to 12 points and wait for the proceedings on the Jennings and Rising Sun match.
If Rising Sun loses to Jennings, then Jennings and Liberta will be on 12 points which will be a very unfortunate result for one team and it will not go down well with the supporters. Stay tuned.
GROUP B
Pigotts currently sit at the top of the charts, but due to their defeat in the last game to New Winthorpes Lions, should New Winthorpes Lions beat Bolans Blasters who have won no games from 3 outings, could see them move to second place. However, if New Winthorpes Lions somehow gets an upset then an opportunity is presented to the Empire Nation to book a place in the second round spot if they beat the Eagles.
This can all happen due to the rules of the competition. So if New Winthorpes Lions beat Bolans Blasters then they will join Pigotts on 12 points. In fact, 3 teams can all end up on 12 points and that would be very interesting. Should the Eagles beat Nation then they will also join New Winthorpes Lions and Pigotts Crushers on 12 points? However due to the head-to-head rules, since Bethesda Golden Eagles beat New Winthorpes Lions and New Winthorpes Lion beat Pigotts Crushers, we could see a possibility that other rules come into play such as Net Run Rate.
Another scenario that could play out, which is rather unlikely noting the forms of the teams involved in Group B is that of the chances of Empire Nation progressing. They will depend on Bolans to play their best game of the competition to beat the Lions. If this happens, then it will be a war between the men from the east and the men from the west. If Empire wins and Lions loses, then Empire will progress to the second round. But if Lions win, then it is more than likely over for Empire even if they beat Bethesda.
If there is a possibility that Bethesda beats Empire and New Withorpes Lions beat Bolans then the same scenario could play out in Group B as in Group A, with rules other than the head to head coming into play. Interesting games ahead!
All we can say is to go out and support your team and see who will progress to the next stage. Hope to see you there.