West Indies B win Cricket Canada T20 Cricket-fest
The victorious West Indies B players and officials pose with the winners’ trophy.
The victorious West Indies B players and officials pose with the winners’ trophy.

TORONTO, Canada – By virtue of winning all three games comfortably, West Indies B emerged winners of Cricket Canada’s T20 Cricket-fest, played over the last weekend at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club (MLCC) ground, King City, Toronto.

The rampant regional side recorded easy wins against Canada, Canada A and Toronto Bears. On a day when both Canadian teams suffered defeats, West Indies B made light work of Canada A in their opening fixture, played last Saturday.

Led by a dominant batting performance from opener John Campbell, who clobbered three sixes and nine fours in an unbeaten 83 off 46 balls, West Indies B rushed to 129 for one in 14.3 overs to record a comprehensive nine-wicket victory. The regional side were replying to Canada A’s 127 for three made in their allotted 20 overs.

The victory was engineered by a fine unbeaten second-wicket partnership of 97 between the left-handed Jamaican Campbell and Barbadian Justin Greaves who was undefeated on 33 when victory was achieved.

Greaves, who strolled to the wicket following the dismissal of Kacy Carty, played a great supporting role while the no-nonsense Campbell showed utter disdain for all bowlers, a performance that earned him the coveted man-of-the-match award.

Earlier, Canada A had won the toss and surprisingly they chose to bat. They however found the going tough against accurate bowling from West Indies B, despite a brilliant 57 not our off 45 balls from R.P Singh and 31 from A. Khan.

Fast medium bowler Derval Green finished with two for 22 while Greaves took the other wicket for 30 runs from his four overs. Singh and Khan added an unbeaten 65 for the fourth wicket.

In the first match of the double-header, Toronto Bears defeated Canada’s national team in a closely-fought affair, winning by eight runs, despite a masterful all-round performance by former Guyana youth player Dillon Heyliger who bagged five for 16, including a hat-trick and struck a quick-fire 27.

On Sunday, West Indies B continued their winning ways with a five-wicket win over the Canadian national side. After restricting their hosts to 146 all out in 19.5 overs, West Indies B reached the required target with two overs to spare.

Recalled Test player Sunil Ambris led the way with a top score of 54 (5×4, 1×6) while the consistent Greaves contributed 40 (4×4, 2×6), the two featuring in a third-wicket partnership of 83. Cecil Pervez and Heyliger claimed two for 10 and 27 respectively.

Heyliger had earlier slammed 35 (4×4, 1×6) while the wickets were shared by Greaves (four for 25) and Green (four for 33).

It was easy sailing for West Indies B on Monday, as they trounced Toronto Bears by six wickets, rushing to victory in the 11th over after limiting their opponents to 124 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

Wicketkeeper and middle-order batsman Jahmar Hamilton raced to an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls, laced with five fours and four sixes to claim the man-of-the-match award as West Indies B reached 127 for four.

Former Guyana and West Indies One-day player, Royston Crandon, led from the front for Toronto Bears, spanking three fours and four sixes in a top score of 47 but his effort was all in vain while Rodrigo Thomas hit 28. There were two wickets each for Kyle Mayers, Jomel Warrican and Greaves.

The victorious West Indies B pocketed Cdn$5 000 and a trophy for winning the T20 four-team tournament.

West Indies B were due to engage Canada in the first of two 50-over matches yesterday with the other scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue.

Guyanese Anthony Bramble is leading the West Indies B while the head coach is Esaun Crandon. (Frederick Halley)

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