By Clifton Ross
DREAMS turned nightmares for Warrior Nation last night after Shamarh Brooks dazzled with a superb century as the Jamaica Tallawahs trounced a woeful Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) by 37 runs in front a stunned sold out crowd at the Providence Stadium, setting up this year’s final against the Barbados Royals at the same venue on Friday night.

Playing with all the chips on the table, the CPL tale, as old as time, again repeated itself as the Warriors were again disdainfully booted out of the crunch stages of the tournament, more so being relegated to watch the finals on their own turf, as mere spectators.

Providence, responsible for some of the best batting exhibitions this season as well as the only venue to produce record two hundreds prior to last night, added a third centurion to their list after Brooks crushed the hearts of the GAW supporters.

The 33-year-old right-hander mixed timing and aggression as he notched up a breathtaking 109 not out from 52 balls. Sixes rained as the Barbados-born player smashed eight of them to go along with seven crisp fours, piloting the Tallawahs to a mammoth 226-4 in 20 overs, batting first.

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim, continued to show his value to the franchise over the years, playing a big role with his cameo knock of 41 from just 15 balls, with four fours and three maximums, adding a record unbroken stand of 103 off a mere 30 balls along with Brooks for the fifth wicket.

By far it was the Warriors worst bowling effort this season, with all the operators going for roughly 10 or more runs an over from their respective 4-over spells.
Outside of Imran Tahir (1-34), pacers Romario Shepherd (2-43) and Odean Smith (1-64), who had a nightmare show came into some heavy treatment from the Tallawahs batters.

Warriors never got into the chase, flustered and stunned by the massive total, the home team crashed out for 189-8 in their 20 overs.
All-rounder Keemo Paul came to the party a little too late, with his 56 off 37 balls, keeping fans slightly entertained. Shai Hope (31), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (22), Gudakesh Motie (22*) and Smith (24), all tried but were unable to successfully hunt such a daunting target.

Wasim returned with the ball to grab 2-25, with ex-Warriors Captain Chris Green chipping in with 2-40, while four other bowlers including Fabian Allen, snapped up a wicket each for good measure.
Warrior Nation were given an early jolt of adrenaline rush, thanks to Shepherd who got things going quickly, by removing openers Brandon King (06) and Kennar Lewis (0), leaving the Tallawahs reeling at 16-2.

A great start then turned on its head after the Brooks show commenced, and Jamaica soon reached their team’s 50 mark after seven overs, with the Bajan settling into his innings with a few boundaries.
Captain Rovman Powell upped the scoring upon his arrival at the crease, bashing three sixes and two fours, racing to 37 off 23 but more importantly adding 55 for the third wicket with Brooks.

Smith, expensive as could be, managed to remove Powell, caught behind by wicket-keeper Gurbaz. The 100 came up in over 11 and shortly after Brooks reached his half-century off 34 deliveries.
Raymon Reifer then scored a run-a-ball 22, further playing a good supporting role as Brooks unleashed a brutal display of power-hitting. The Warriors bowling was all over the place, and Brooks along with Wasim wailed into the attack.

Brooks raced to his century off 50 balls, with the likes of Shepherd and Smith especially being treated with disdain, reaching the landmark with a four off the latter during the final over, celebrating with much elation.
Wasim, from the other end, was savage too, mauling the same pair a few overs later, finishing the game with a one-handed six off Smith, who bowled arguably one the worst spells in T20 cricket.
The pair added an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 103 off just 34 balls which took the Tallawahs well past 200 when their 20 overs expired..