PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The 2019 Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup semi-finals are set up to be a battle of traditional Caribbean powerhouses against impressive underdogs.
On Thursday, Zone A table-toppers Barbados Pride, six-time competition winners since 1972/73, lock horns with Zone B runners-up West Indies Emerging Players who only secured their semi final spot after last years finalist Guyana Jaguars, lost their final crucial group game the United States Of America.
On Friday, eleven-time champions and Zone B winners Trinidad & Tobago Red Force face off against in form four-time winners Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who overcame a late challenge from Jamaica Scorpions to seal their semi final place.
The West Indies Emerging Players are being led expertly by former West Indies interim coach Floyd Reifer, while key players are leading run scorer Justin Greaves (282 runs at 40.28) and wicket taker Keon Harding (16 wickets at 17.06).
Barbados had a solid team all-round effort, with three batsmen, Captain Jonathan Carter, Kjorn Ottley and Kyle Mayers averaging 45 plus, and four bowlers in Ashley Nurse, Miguel Cummins, Chemar Holder and Roshon Primus with ten wickets or more.
Both the Red Force and the Hurricanes will be looking to their experienced West Indies players, Darren Bravo and Kieran Powell to pile up the runs.
Powell leads the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 run scoring chart with 464 runs at an average of 66.28, while Bravo is close behind with 447 runs at a tournament leading average of 111.75.
Dominic Warne, CWI Director of Commercial, Marketing and Communications said: “We’re now at the sharp end of the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup and it’s a chance to win regional glory, bragging rights and the Super50 trophy. Fans have got a chance to watch some superb cricket and a great mix of experienced talent and the future stars of West Indies cricket tussle to see who will be crowned champions. We know that fans are set for a great finale to the competition.”
Matches will be on ESPN Caribbean on Thursday and Friday from 1:30 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time/12:30 p.m. Jamaica Time at the Queen’s Park Oval. (PR/SAT)
