Star power-laden T10 Blast gets going
Published:Sunday | June 25, 2023 | 1:56 AMLennox Aldred - Gleaner Writer
FOLLOWING ITS successful inaugural staging last year, the Dream XI-sponsored Jamaica T10 competition makes its return this morning with the high impact fast-paced action set to get under way at 11 at Sabina Park.
In the opening fixture of the new campaign, the Middlesex United Stars will take on last year’s beaten finalists, the Surrey Kings, after which defending champions the Surrey Royals will square off with the Cornwall Warriors at 1:30 p.m.
Six teams will be participating in the tournament, the Middlesex United Stars, Surrey Kings, Surrey Royals, Cornwall Warriors, Middlesex Titans, and Surrey Risers from June 25 to July 10.
DOUBLE ROUND ROBIN
The league stage will see 30 matches being played with each team facing each other twice in a double round-robin format.
The top two teams at the end of the league stage will directly contest the final whereas the third and fourth-ranked teams will play off just before the battle for top spot.
Some of the island’s top players, including West Indies Test vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood and West Indies T20 players Andre Russell and Odean Smith, are expected to be on show along with a plethora of national players.
In today’s opening fixture, the Middlesex United Stars will feature players from St Ann, St Catherine and Manchester, including former national off-spinner Damani Sewell.
The Surrey Kings, to be led by Jermaine Blackwood, also features Russell and national players Tevin Gilzene, Jeavor Royal, Brad Barnes, Patrick Harty and Kirk McKenzie.
Other notable players, who are expected to parade their skills in the shortest format of the game, are West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner, along with national players Leroy Lugg, Peat Salmon, Abhijai Mansingh and Nicholson Gordon, who will represent Surrey Royals.
The Royals will also have a new coach calling the shots with former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Carlton Baugh Jr stepping into the role, and former Jamaica batsman Delroy Morgan performing managerial duties.
The Surrey Risers will feature former West Indies youth captain Ramaal Lewis along with national off-spinner Akim Fraser and Jamaica fast bowler Gordon Bryan.
The Middlesex Titans will see veteran Krishmar Santokie once again leading their charge along with national off-spinner Jamie Merchant. The Cornwall Warriors, to be captained by Damion Ebanks, will also feature national seam bowler Marquino Mindley.