LAUDERHILL, Florida (CMC) – Batsman Marlon Samuel struck a half-century and grabbed two wickets to help fire Jamaica to a solid 47-run victory over United States in their Twenty20 game here yesterday.
The 29-year-old, seeking to return to West Indies colours after completing a two-year ban, stroked 52 not out as Jamaica reached 145 for three off their allotted 20 overs.
Samuels then earned two for 13 to help restrict United States to 98 for nine off their 20 overs.
The right-hander, who has played 29 Tests and 107 one-dayers, was slapped with the ban in 2008 for breaching International Cricket Council rules relating to “receiving money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute”.
The win was Jamaica’s second in the three-match limited overs series after crushing the US by 132 runs in a 50-overs contest on Friday.
Playing at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, opener Donovan Pagon went cheaply for 13 at 19 in the third over before Samuels and Wavell Hinds posted a slow 54 off 56 balls for the second wicket.
Samuels, not quite in touch yet after his long break, faced 61 balls and hit four fours while Hinds got 23 from 25 balls with a six and a four.
Jamaica, however, needed Danza Hyatt’s shot-filled cameo to raise the tempo of the innings. The dashing right-hander carved out a scintillating 48 from 22 balls with four fours and three sixes in a 72-run stand off 46 balls for the third wicket with Samuels.
Ashhar Mehdi then top-scored with 28 down the order but Bevon Brown (2-8), Krishmar Santokie (2-20) and Danza Hyatt (2-23) all took two wickets to ensure the Americans struggle.