Pickwick clinches thrilling victory in Barbados Cricket Association 50-Over Super Cup semifinal

ESA Field Pickwick pulled off a last-over, two-run victory to book a place in the final of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) 50-Over Super Cup Competition.

Playing at the Friendship Playing Field, the game was delayed by over two hours, due to a wet outfield. Play was eventually reduced to 34 overs per side. Pickwick won the toss and elected to bat.

After losing Yvan Grant for nought with the score on eight, the tournament’s leading scorer Craig Holder built a steady partnership with Shamar Forde. The pair added 91 runs. Forde was eventually bowled by Marlon Welcome-Goodman for a well played 32 runs, score being 99-2.

West Indies 50-over captain Shai Hope came to the crease, and showed his intent right away, scoring with ease as he made 33 in 19 balls. His knock included a four and three sixes, before he was out caught by Shamar Springer on the mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Welcome-Goodman.

Carlton were able to break through the Pickwick middle order as they picked up the next four wickets for only 21 runs, taking the score to 167-7. Welcome-Goodman picked up a five-wicket haul in his spell of seven overs for 47 runs. Holder was one of those scalps as he was caught by Nyeem Young for 54.

Young Jatario Prescod (17) and Jakeem Forde (21) made valuable contributions in the lower order to help Pickwick post a fighting total of 210 in 33.5 overs.

Replying, Carlton lost their first wicket at 21, when Zachary Carter was out for 12.

At 56-1, a rain delay caused an adjustment in the target, as two overs were lost. Carlton now needed a total of 203 to win in 32 overs.

Leniko Boucher and Young took the score to 70, before Boucher lost his wicket to Rondre Yearwood in the 11th over. Young was out the very next over, bowled by Jakeem Forde, the score now 78-3.

Welcome-Goodman (80-4) and Keon Harding (100-5) were both out to Zahir Motara as the game hung in the balance.

Shamar Springer began to up the tempo with the bat, but wickets continued to fall on the other end. At 121, Preston Clarke was able to remove Captain Dominic Drakes for nine.

Prescod picked up two wickets with the score on 162 when he dismissed Tarik Shorey and Zidane Clarke.

Springer and Daniel Babb put on a further 22-run partnership, though Babb only contributed one run before he was bowled by Yearwood in the penultimate over.

Forde was given the responsibility of bowling the final six balls, with Carlton needing 17 runs to win. Springer got two from the first ball, followed by consecutive sixes. Carlton were now in the driver’s seat with a chance of advancing to the final.

With three runs needed from three balls, Springer ran a questionable single to mid-wicket, giving number 11 batter Saurav Worrell the strike and the responsibility of the final two runs.

Forde’s delivery clipped the edge of Worrell’s bat, and he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Hope, bringing an end to a thrilling game. Pickwick advanced to the final of the BCA Super Cup.

Springer played a superb knock in a losing effort as he made 89 not out in 67 balls with six fours and six sixes.

At Weymouth, Wildey bowled out Yorkshire for 86 runs to book a meeting with Pickwick.

After winning the toss and batting first, the game was reduced to 40 overs due to rainy conditions. Wildey were able to get their total up to 187-7.

Jayden Roberts led the way with 47 runs in 47 balls while Nimar Bolden chipped in with 36.

Romario Parris took three wickets for 27 runs for Yorkshire.

Yorkshire, in their turn at the crease, went from 45-2 to 75-9, losing seven wickets for 30 runs as the Wildey bowlers stamped their authority on the game and easily dismissed their opponents.

The left arm spin of Wildey, Jerome Jones 4-21, and Deswin Currency 3-23 were the pick of the bowlers.

Wildey, runners-up in last season’s Super 50 Cup, will now take on Pickwick in the Final on September 8.

(ZM)