All-rounder Tyrone Dayley scored the first century of the 2022 SDC/Wray and Nephew National Community T/20 Competition as last year’s parish runner-ups Boscobel defeated Gayle in their opening fixture at Boscobel Sports Complex, St. Mary, on Sunday, May 1.
The Boscobel Sports Complex has been host to some thrillers in the past, none more so than last year’s final which was decided on a one-over eliminator. However, if this game is a precursor to the rest of the season, then St. Mary cricket lovers are in for a treat this season.
Batting first Gayle Cricket Team took their time to get going with just 14 runs coming off the first three overs. Things got worse for the Gayle Cricket Team as opener Renford Pinnock was run-out for 8 runs. Never-the-less, Ricardo Thompson and Kevin Daley quickly eased supporters’ nerves as the two posted 65 runs for the second wicket to take the total to 79 runs before Thompson with 20 runs was removed by Javere Green. However, Daley quickly accelerated the scoring for his team, passing the half-century mark in the process. finding a partner though was proving to be difficult.
Aan Ennis 10 runs and Jermaine Chisholm 10 runs got into double figures but Trevan Williams 6 runs and Sheldon Pryce 1 run showed little sticking ability as the cluster of wickets derailed Gayle Cricket Team’s momentum towards the backend of their innings. Daley saw it through to the 20 runs overs and was left unbeaten on 86 runs as Gayle Cricket Team posted 160 runs for 6 wickets lost.
No bowler managed to pick-up more than a wicket for Boscobel with Derron walker 1 wicket for 27 runs and Tyrone Daley 1 wicket for 26 runs were among the best results for the team.
With 160 runs to defend Jermaine Chisholm struck as early as the first over for Gayle Cricket Team having Maurice Harrow caught for 4 runs. That brought Tyrone Daley to the crease and the dominant left-hander shared in a second-wicket partnership of 44 runs with Orlando Lyons who had little work to do for the most part.
Daley took 14 runs for the second over bowled by Sheldon Clarke with two sixes coming from his solitary over for the innings. The third over bowled by captain Sheldon Pryce yielded the same number of runs as Boscobel were cruising to victory at 48 runs for 1 wicket after 3 overs.
With runs flowing from the opposition, Pryce was able to pick-up another wicket for his team as Lyons was caught for 2 runs with the score 55 runs for 2 wickets at the end of 5 overs. The next over, turned the game on its head as Javaughn Hinds bowled Oshaun Ennis for 1 run to sneak back into the contest at 57 runs for 3 wickets at the end of the power-play.
That would however be the only success for Gayle Cricket Team for another 98 runs as Daley took matters into his own hands, hitting the ball to all parts of the Boscobel ground. Daley’s innings of 110 comprised 7 sixes and 12 fours and were one of innovation and at times utter brute force and by the time he was dismissed victory was well in sight at 134 runs for 4 wickets. Zendi Williams played his part in the partnership as he made 21 runs.
The victory was wrapped-up at 161 runs for 6 wickets with Chisolm 3 wickets for 32 runs and Pryce 2 wickets for 36 runs.
In the day’s first game, Jordan Allen batted 43 runs as Days Mountain 100 runs for 1 wicket coasted to a nine-wicket triumph against Port Maria who earlier were restricted to 97 runs for 9 wickets.
Port Maria’s batting effort was highlighted by Jaffet McDonald who made 41 runs while Romeo McDonald 3 wickets for 15 runs was the pick of the bowlers from Days Mountain Cricket Team. He was aided by Dalton Howell and Andre Baker with 2 wickets each.
Over the next three-weeks, 42 community cricket teams will continue to face-off in a round robin format before the tops teams move forward to the next round. The next exciting feature match is schedule for Sunday May 8, will take place on the grounds of Chedwin Park. The match fixture dictates that Grater Portmore will face the defending 2021parish champion Old Harbor Cricket Team at 10:00 am. At 1:00pm St. Johns East will go up against the Red Ground Cricket Team.
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