ZEEBURG Sports Club and the Cornelia Ida Cricket Club will battle in the final of the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) T20 competition after both sides claimed victories in their semi-final clashes on Sunday last at the Joe Vieira Park ground.

Zeeburg, who defeated the Rising Stars Cricket Club (CICC)  in the Rising Stars T20 final late January, got past the WDCA 50-over champions Independence Cricket Club in the afternoon after CICC had defeated Christ Ambassadors in the morning.

For Zeeburg, one of the most dominant teams in West Demerara over the last three years, the win against Independence CC was seen as revenge, given that it was that team which got past them in the semi-finals of the 50 over competition last month.

Rain had washed out their clash (which had progressed a considerable way), but Zeeburg were unavailable for the rematch, which resulted in Independence gaining a walkover victory into the President’s Cup final—a final which they won.

On Sunday, Zeeburg won the toss and opted to take first strike. They raced to 159 in their allotted overs with Ushardeva Balgobin scoring 36, Malcolm Hubbard (34), Mark Jeffers (25) and Ronaldo Renee (23).

Off-spinner Reeaz Esau, who grabbed six wickets in the 50-over final, again proved his might when he took 4-29 to lead Independence’s attack.

Independence in reply, could not keep up with the run rate and were eventually routed for 125 in 19.2 overs with V. Dhaniram finishing with 31.

Malcolm Hubbard and Jamal Gomes finished with three wickets each for Zeeburg, while Ansar Khan took two.

The semi-finals opened with CICC claiming a two-wicket win over Christ Ambassadors.

Christ Ambassadors won the toss and batted first. They scored 111, before they were bowled out in 17.2 overs with C. Sam leading the attack with 25 (3x6s).

Richard Baker and Muhammed Wazidali combined with their right arm seam and left arm orthodox respectively to pick up three wickets each, while former national U-17 cricketer Richie Looknauth and current senior national cricketer Akshaya Persaud supported with 2-30 and 1-4 in that order.

In reply, Christ Ambassadors made their opponents work for their runs, but Looknauth saw his team home. He struck five fours and two sixes in a score of 37, while Persaud added 17 (3x4s) and Naveed Ali made 15 (3x4s).

1. Martin and K. Boyce led Christ Ambassadors with three and two wickets respectively.