ICBL Empire impressively qualified for the semi-finals of the Sagicor Twenty20 Cup by destroying historical rivals Super Centre Spartan by 35 runs yesterday.
Empire dominated with both bat and ball and their dominance started when they won the toss and batted in ideal cricketing conditions, reaching a total of 163 for four wickets in their 20 overs.
Empire’s former captain Jason Haynes justified the captain’s decision by hitting the top score of 60 from 47 balls. Haynes and Barbados captain Ryan Hinds shared a match-winning stand of 85 for the second wicket, with Hinds stroking 51 from 36 balls. When Haynes and Hinds departed, the powerful Alcindo Holder blasted a quick-fire 24.
The match was effectively over in Kevin Stoute’s opening spell of three for 21 as he destroyed the Parkites’ top-order. Stoute removed Andre Small with the first ball of the innings and snapped up Jabbar Niles and Nicholas Carter by the time the score reached 20. All-rounder Andre Gill provided the only resistance with an unbeaten 33 as the parkites melted under the Empire heat for a paltry 128.
