Aggressive Hurricanes punish Pride to reach final

TAROUBA, Trinidad (CMC):

An irrepressible Leeward Islands Hurricanes made light work of Barbados Pride, crushing them by 155 runs in a lopsided semi-final here Thursday, to book their spot in Saturday’s final of the Super50 Cup.

Propelled by punishing half-centuries from Man-of-the-Match Jahmar Hamilton (76), Justin Greaves (63) and Hayden Walsh Jr (57), Hurricanes posted a challenging 290 all out in the final over, after opting to bat first at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Off-spinner Kemar Smith’s five-wicket haul had rattled the innings and left it tottering on 179 for six in the 38th over before Hamilton and Walsh put on 101 for the seventh wicket, Hurricanes gathering a tournament record 104 runs from the last 10 overs.

Asked to score at nearly six runs per over to reach their first Super50 Cup final in five years, Pride were stunned by captain Alzarri Joseph’s new-ball burst, the 26-year-old fast bowler claiming three for 30 in a hostile five-over spell to leave the run chase in strife at 34 for three in the seventh over.

Off-spinner Kofi James (2-33) made further inroads to keep Hurricanes on top before left-arm spinner Daniel Doram (3-33) and leg-spinner Walsh (2-13) bullied the lower order to send Pride crashing for 135 all out in the 31st over.

Roston Chase top-scored with 35 from 36 balls with three fours and a six but was the only Pride player to pass 20.

“We didn’t play our best cricket and that’s why we are in this position,” said Pride captain Shai Hope.

“We didn’t hit our straps, we didn’t execute the way we wanted to. We didn’t play the best cricket we could’ve played and, obviously, the better team won on the day.”

The victory put Hurricanes in their 14th Super50 Cup final, setting up their first-ever championship match clash with hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, who thrashed Guyana Harpy Eagles in Wednesday’s opening semi-final at the same venue.

“It [feels] really good but the job is not done yet. We still have one more game to play,” said a stony-faced Joseph.

Hurricanes started well, thanks to the in-form Greaves, the right-hander striking five fours in a composed 76-ball knock to inspire a 61-run opening stand with Kieran Powell (28) and a 57-run, second-wicket stand with Keacy Carty (32).

When Smith (5-43) sliced through the innings to reduce Hurricanes to 133 for four at the start of the 30th, Hamilton arrived to stabilse the innings.

First, he posted 30 for the fifth wicket with Rahkeem Cornwall (16) and, when Smith struck twice in quick succession, the right-hander combined with Walsh in a critical century stand.

Hamilton belted half-dozen fours and four sixes in a 61-ball cameo before holing out in the deep off left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer (2-72) in the penultimate over, while Walsh lashed a four and five sixes off 45 balls before missing a scoop and having his stumps shattered by left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes (2-48) in the final over.

“For me, I think everyone played their role. Everyone did what they needed to do and that’s what we needed from everyone today,” Joseph said of his side’s batting effort.

In reply, Pride were never allowed to get going, Joseph taking the lead role in crippling the run chase.

He spectacularly yorked left-hander Kyle Mayers (4) with the second ball of the innings, gained a fortuitous judgement for caught behind against Zachary McCaskie (6) in his next over, before getting Hope (19) to fend off a lifter to Rahkeem Cornwall at first slip in the seventh over.