Sports
BARBADOS PRIDE ARE CHAMPIONS
by David Harris
Barbados Pride were crowned CG United Super50 champions after defeating arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by nine wickets in a low-scoring final at the Brian Lara Academy, Tarouba, in south Trinidad on Saturday night. The victorious Bajans won the top prize of $US 100 00 and a trophy.
Chasing 168 runs for victory, Barbados scored 169 for the loss of one wicket in 29.3 overs; captain Kyle Mayers and Leniko Boucher took advantage of the hapless Trinidadian bowlers and posted 122 runs for the first wicket, before Boucher was caught by Joshua James off pacer Terrance Hinds for run-a-ball 50 that contained nine fours and one six in the 17th over.
By then Barbados were cruising to their first Super50 Cup crown since 2017. Mayers who scored an unbeaten 89 runs from 79 balls with six fours and seven sixes, and Zachary McCaskie 19 not out added the 47 runs required for victory; even though rain forced a forced a 25-minute stoppage when Barbados needed 35 runs to win the title.
Earlier the Red Force were bowled out for 168 in 42.3 overs after Barbados won the toss and opted to field. Opener Tion Webster started the innings in a positive manner by striking pacer Akeem Jordan for two fours in the opening over. Webster’s opening partner Cephas Cooper could not match his attacking approach and was stumped by Boucher off left-arm spinner left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop without scoring.
The Red Force stumble to 98 for five wickets in the 27th over as Bishop who bowled 10 overs for 27, and picked four wickets dismantle the top-order, he was supported by left-arm seamer Dominic Drakes who captured for wickets and conceded 34 runs.
Webster top-scored with 43 runs, while Yannic Cariah scored 35, Amir Jangoo contributed 20, and Jyd Goolie got 13.
