TAROUBA, Trinidad,(CMC )– Johann Jeremiah fell agonisingly short of the first ever West Indies Breakout League century, but his performance was good enough to secure a playoff spot for the Windward Islands Infernos following their 86-run victory over the Jamaica Titans here on Tuesday.
Jeremiah bludgeoned 97 from just 50 balls, inclusive of eight sixes and seven fours, as the Infernos posted 211 for six from their 20 overs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the highest total of the tournament so far.
The Titans never challenged the target after losing five wickets inside the Power Play and were eventually bowled out for 125 in 18 overs.

With the win, the Infernos leapfrogged Barbados Pelicans (20 points) – who have played all of their matches – into second position on 22 points with one match left to play.
The top-of-the-table Trinidad and Tobago Legions (31 points) are already in the playoffs, meaning that the third and final playoff spot will be determined when the Infernos play the fourth placed Leeward Islands Thunder (19 points) on Wednesday.

While victory for the Thunder will see them advance and knock out the Pelicans, there is also a possibility they could still advance even if they lose, based on the bonus points system.
The Infernos got off to a blazing start thanks to two major partnerships at the top of the order.

Firstly, captain Alick Athanaze and Jeremiah put on 88 runs for the first wicket in 11 overs, and when the former fell for 34, Jeremiah and Teddy Bishop blasted 54 runs in just three overs to put them well on their way to posting a significant total.
Just three runs away from a historic century, Jeremiah was bowled by off spinner Ramaal Lewis, to leave the Infernos 142 for two after 14 overs.

The Infernos would lose their way slightly after his dismissal, with Shadrack Descarte and Dillon Douglas and Ryan John all falling cheaply.

However, Bishop, who scored 44 from 22 balls, helped them become the first team to pass the 200-run mark.
For the Titans, Jeavor Royal took 2-19 and Anthony Dackers 2-33.

The Titans’ run chase was over almost as soon as it began with pacers John and Keon Johnson splitting the wickets of Leroy Lugg, Jordan Johnson, Kirk McKenzie and Andrew Rambaran to leave them in tatters at 26 for four.
It was a position they would never recover, despite a fighting 35 by Deethmar Anderson and 25 from Lewis.

Gaston, John and Darel Cyrus, all took two wickets for the Infernos.