Spalding Cup playoff on a knife edge

Western Bureau

The ISSA Spalding Cup cricket playoff between hosts St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Wolmer’s Boys hangs in the balance, with the hosts at 97 for five at the end of yesterday’s second day.

The rain-hit match looks set to be decided on first-innings points. Wolmer’s managed to get to 166 all out after resuming yesterday on 109 for six. Alex Hinds played an important knock for his team with an even 50 after resuming on 12. His overnight partner, Matthew Aljoe, could only add one run to his overnight 10. STETHS’ legspinner Javed Simpson finished with three wickets for 53 runs, and he was supported by two wickets each from Govasta Edmond - 2-35; Kevoni Graham - 2-27; and Marlon Powell - 2-8.

STETHS’ reply got off in commanding fashion with a half-century partnership from openers Tyriek Bryan and Sean Roye. O’mari Wedderburn got the breakthrough for Wolmer’s, and he removed both openers - Roye for 22 and Bryan for 33. Wedderburn then bagged a third wicket (Marlon Powell for19) as STETHS lost three wickets for eight runs before the rain came to end play for the day just after tea. He has so far taken 3-26. The not-out batters are Odane Binns on 7 and Odel Samuel, 2.

STETHS captain Maliek Williams, despite allowing the opposition to get too much on the board when play started yesterday, said they are confident they will claim a first- innings lead.

INCONSISTENT

“This morning we had a plan to bowl them out for under 150, but the bowlers were inconsistent, a bit sloppy in the field, and made some mistakes that cost us. If we had held on to our chances, things would have been different,” Williams said.

“We will just have to take it step by step. I believe in the batsmen at the crease. We also saw what Kevoni and Javed did in the finals (Headley Cup), so we know our batting is very deep. We believe the total is gettable, and we have to get first innings with the rain in play,” he added.

Coach of Wolmer’s, Jerraine Williams, believes they can claim first-innings points as his spinners have settled into the game.

“The game is in the balance right now, but just before the rain, we had the momentum with a few wickets just before tea. Come tomorrow (today), if weather permits, we would like to get the ball in the right areas so we can pick up a few more wickets and put STETHS under pressure,” said Williams, who commended young Wedderburn for stepping up for the team.

“Alex Hinds has been the leading wicket taker so far, but this is a final and it doesn’t always go as planned. Somebody else has to step up, and young Wedderburn did that by getting three wickets.”