The Final Battle

Guys, the moment has finally arrived: the final game of the season, 4 teams remaining,one division championship and one winning chance. What an adrenalin rush!! We (Wanderers CC) rank 2^nd with 6 points away from Lime, who currently hold 1^st position. We couldn’t ask for a more exciting way to end the season. Our aim is to gain maximum points in this game with high anticipation of an indubitably great performance.

In our previous game, we won with ease against Barbados Youth, a reduced team, as most of their players were involved in the WICB U19 tournament. We bowled them out for 114 in their first innings. I reached a quick 25 before gifting away my wicket.

 On day one we maximized the opportunity to gain as many points in the first innings, as we were extremely conscious of the inclement weather, expected on day 2 and 3 of the following weekend.

As a result we scored 300 for 9 dec. gaining full batting and bowling points. Our talented all-rounder Diego Stuart took 8 wickets in the game also scoring 50*, resulted in an easy victory for us as we bowled out the host for 68 in their second innings.

We head up to the Pine Basin Oval to play MTW for our last game, which would be the most significant game of the season for us. My week’s preparation for this game has been very intense and gratifying. Therefore, I'm well prepared to exhibit a great performance, so you can expect positive news from my next blog and I’m certain that my teammates will also do an excellent job.

Rejuvenated from the ICC U19 world cup, Kraigg Brathwaite will be back at the top of the order. I always love playing on the same side as "Bow Bow", as we both have a great sense of humor especially in each other’s presence. No one can make any mistakes on the field while he's around. He definitely mentions it in the most comical way when we return to the dressing room.

From an individual and a collective standpoint, I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their support. I promise to do my very best. Please keep the positive support going...and until next time, I wish everyone an enjoyable weekend. One Love!

Coming From Behind

Our last game against Yorkshire was one I would describe it as true team effort by everyone. We knew that a win was our only option to have a chance to win the Div1 title, which only two games are left to be played.

Day 1 we had lost the toss an they put us in to bat. We lost some early wickets, including myself which I had only faced two deliveries. Our initial plan was to gain maximum batting points as quick as possible and look to send them in late in the evening. We had to go to a plan B, but with a brilliant hundred by Sean Armstrong we got to 250-8 which is 3 batting points, we opted not to go for the extra batting point in 300 an decided to declare to get a run at them.

Their opening pair played our bowlers well late that evening ending on 29 without loss. Day two we were faced with some stoppages due to showers at times making the job difficult for our bowlers. They ended up gaining first innings points with a lead of eight runs before we had bowled them out at the end of the days play. So for us to put the game in a position for us to win, some smart,aggressive batting would be the key for us on the final days play.

We knew we needed time to bowl them out, an after gaining a lead of 150 within 15 minutes before tea, our Captain decided we had enough to work with.

We won the game by 29 runs, with our 6'3" fast bowler Jason Holder taking 4 an our newly Wanderers off spinner Kemar Craigg playing in his first Div 1 game for us taking 3.

Kemar's first wicket was a beauty! Batsman came forward defensively, bat and pad to short leg! Every off spinners dream to get a wicket.

After that series we remain in 4th position only 10 points away from the leaders. So it's still all to play for. We head to the country side this weekend to play Barbados Youth, which we'll look to keep the winning trend going.

The guys have faith we'll do it and so do I. So until next time be safe and god bless