Last year’s finalists clash today in ISSA Super 8 T20

The opening fixture of today’s semifinals of the ISSA/TVJ Super 8 T20 competition will be a repeat of last year’s final as defending champions Wolmers’ Boys look to pull off another victory against perennial contenders St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) at Sabina Park.

The 10 a.m. fixture will be followed by the second semifinal between the high-riding Manchester High and dark horses Excelsior High at 2 p.m.

Most of the focus will be on the morning encounter as another ding-dong battle is set to ensue with the Justin Beckford-led Wolmer’s seeking to pull off another Houdini-like act similar to last year when they shocked the favourites STETHS in a low-scoring final.

This time around, Beckford and his team are looking for more runs on the board as they know STETHS will be seeking to avenge last year’s defeat.

“This year we are looking to put more runs on the board and not limit ourselves and play in a shell. We want to express ourselves against this STETHS team but it’s going to come down to who plays better on the day in all facets,” said Beckford.

Wolmer’s will enter the contest with some selection concerns as they will be without two of their starting players with national under-16 captain Nikoli McKenzie ruled out with an injury after receiving a knock on the head while playing in an under-16 game.

A FORMIDABLE TEAM

Brian Charles will also not take part in the semifinal due to religious reasons. With that, Wolmer’s are still expected to put forward a formidable team with West Indies under-19 representative Jordan Johnson, Corey Hinds and captain Beckford expected to lead the batting.

The bowling department should be completed by Alex Hinds, Matthew Aljoe and Nicholas HoLung.

For STETHS, they enter the contest full of confidence having gone through the zone phase unbeaten with their coach Clive Ledgister expecting a keen contest.

“All I ask my boys is to go out and play simple basic cricket and the rest will take care of itself. We have been dominating schoolboy cricket for some time by doing that, and once we hold our nerve we should come out on top,” he said.

STETHS will bank on captain Malique Williams to come good with the bat along with Sean Roye and Odane Binns. The bowling should be spearheaded by Gavasta Edmond and Kevoni Graham with Williams also expected to factor with the ball.

In the second semifinal, the Sanjay Walker-led Manchester will start as heavy favourites against the young Excelsior side. Walker, Brian Barnes and Dajay Nelson are the trump cards with the bat for Manchester while Rasheed Harriott is their main threat with the ball.

Excelsior’s hopes of pulling off an upset will rest on the shoulders of the national bowling pair of Demarco Scott and Tamari Redwood while their batting will revolve around Michael Clarke and Scott.