ST MICHAEL MERCHANTS and St James Settlers have sealed the last two semi-final places in the UWI C.O. Williams Inter-Parish Twenty20 cricket competition.
St Michael booked their spot with a 39-run victory over St Joseph Titans at the 3Ws Oval in the final preliminary match Friday night at the 3Ws Oval, while St James had confirmed their place in the semis after beating St Lucy Pirates by 53 runs the previous night.
St Michael owed their victory to handy all-round performances from first-class players Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder.
Brathwaite, batting at No. 4, made 48 off 37 balls, and featured in an important fifth-wicket partnership of 59 with Carlos Maynard (25) to guide St Michael to 143 for six after they were struggling on 41 for four.
Holder slammed 30 off 13 balls at the death and returned to grab two wickets for two runs in two overs, while Brathwaite conceded 16 runs from four overs as St Joseph were restricted to 104 in 17.3 overs.
St James had a host of contributors in their victory against St Lucy. Four batsmen passed 25 in a total of 147 for eight and three bowlers each took two wickets in the opponents’ response of 94 in 18 overs.
The first semi-final will bring together St Michael and St Thomas Warriors Thursday night, while St James meet UWI Blackbirds in the second semi-final the following night.
The final is set for Saturday night. (HG)
Summarized scores
Thursday’s match: St James Settlers 147-8 in 20 overs (D. Sealy 36, C. Morris 31, S. Parris 30 retired hurt, C. Jordan 28; C. Holder 3-39, L. Babb 2-14, K. Stanford 2-18). St Lucy Pirates 94 in 18 overs (J. Yearwood 19, M. Boyce 16, Richard Greaves 11, B. Corbin 10; C. Morris 2-6, Romario Greaves 2-11, C. Jordan 2-18). St James Settlers won by 53 runs.
Friday’s match: St Michael Merchants 143-6 in 20 overs (K. Brathwaite 48, J. Holder 30 n.o., C. Maynard 25, K. Stoute 14; T. Hoyte 2-26). St Joseph Titans 104 in 17.3 overs (Renaldo Kellman 29, K. Patterson 20, A. Boyce 19; D. Currency 3-13, J. Holder 2-2, A. Evelyn 2-23). St Michael Merchants won by 39 runs.
