It was a day for batsmen.
And they all joined the party yesterday.
Shane Dowrich, Kevin Stoute and Kyle Hope revelled in the lovely batting conditions at the Desmond Haynes Oval, as Shamarh Brooks’ XI defeated Sulieman Benn’s XI by four wickets in the second trial match in preparation for the Regional Super 50 tournament.
Dowrich and Hope scored 80 not out and 55, respectively, in Benn’s XI 244 for five in 44 overs, while Kevin Stoute also compiled 80 in Brooks’ XI winning reply of 245 in 43.2 overs.
Wicketkeeper Dowrich’s good form of late continued as he notched up an unbeaten 80 from 66 balls with three boundaries and a six after his side won the toss and batted.
Craig St Hill and Anthony Alleyne posted 40 for the first wicket before St Hill fell for 17.
Alleyne was second to go for 36 when the score was on 70 in the 20th over. Dowrich joined Kyle Hope in a 92-run stand for the third wicket with Hope scoring a stylish 55 from 81 balls.
Jonathan Carter’s (32) stay at the wicket lasted only 13 balls but he hit four massive sixes and stroked two fours as the innings closed at 244 for five.
Brooks’ XI started shakily and were 54 for four at the end of ten overs. Rashidi Boucher scored 19 while Omar Phillips and Shamarh Brooks failed for the second match. Shai Hope, who scored an unbeaten half-century in the first trial, had a rare failure this season.
The innings was put on course for victory by a fifth-wicket stand of 93 between Stoute and Kenroy Williams. Stoute’s aggressive 80 came from 76 balls with four fours and four sixes, while Williams (44) was more patient.
Derrick Bishop put the seal on Brooks’ XI’s victory with 43 from 34 balls with two fours and two sixes after Marlon Welcome-Goodman retired hurt on 20.
