Fort Charlotte Strikers vs Grenadines Divers Match Report – 4th Match VPL 5
Strikers won the toss and chose to bat.
Hiram Shallow cut the first delivery of the innings for four then made a repeat during the 3rd delivery to give Strikers a positive start. Richie Richards, Divers best bowling during the first match, continued were he left off and bowled a very good 2nd over of the match, only conceding 3 runs. Gidron Pope had enough and slogged the first delivery of the 3rd over for six then cut couple deliveries later for four. Shallow finished the over with a pull shot for six to push Strikers to 34/0.
Gidron Pope advanced to Richards during the 4th over and managed to get back in time to avoid being stumped. Shallow was nearly run out, for probably the umpteenth time in his career – saved by the throw yorking the keeper and the keeper not collecting cleanly to remove the bails. Strikers finished the powerplay on 45/0. Richie Richards completed his 2 overs for 13 runs, continuing his impressive bowling for the Divers.
Captain Hooper changed tactics this match by choosing to bowl himself outside the powerplay instead of his customary choice of bowling the new ball. Strikers cashed in as Gidron Pope drove straight back for four then Shallow pulled over mid wicket for a maximum then played his favourite cut shot to pick up another boundary to push Strikers to 62/0 after 5 overs. Shallow was in imperious form and he drilled Strough for six then flicked for four during the 6th over. He was dismissed by Dean Browne for 46 from 19 deliveries, hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes. Browne also removed Pope who was dismissed trying to pull but could only lob an easy catch to short fine leg.
Carlos Brathwaite strolled to the crease with his towering frame and immediately made his presence felt as he hit fellow country man Ryshon Williams for 3 sixes in the 8th over – one of which was pulled for one of the biggest six seen at Arnos Vale, hitting the roof of the double decker stand. Wesrick Strough showed why he is one of the leading bowlers in VPL as he out foxed Brathwaite with a lovely slower cutter that pitched on a length outside off and clipped the top of off stump. Strikers got to 126/4 from their allotment, the highest score so far for VPL 5. Brathwaite made 33 from 13 deliveries, hitting 2 fours and 3 sixes. Dean Browne was sensational with the ball, taking 3/17 from his 2 overs.
Ray Jordan took the new ball and only conceded a run, continuing to be one of the more difficult bowler to face due to his pace and relenting lenghts. Walton struck Jones for two fours in the 2nd over but Jones hit top of off stump on the final delivery of the over to remove the dangerous Chadwick Walton to leave Divers struggling at 13/1. Alston Bobb dismissed Hackshaw during the 3rd over to stall Divers at 19/2. Divers finished the powerplay on 37/2, with Asif Hooper playing in an aggressive mood from the get go. He swung Carlos Brathwaite for a massive six over mid wicket to signal his intentions.
Alston Bobb’s experience showed as he completed his 2 overs for 17 runs to stall Diver’s chase. Winston Samuel and Jerome Jones ripped the soul out of Divers chase, combining during the 6th and 7th over to take 3 wickets for for 18 runs. Jones finished with figures of 3/21 from his 2 overs. The game was done and dusted at that point as Divers could only manage 75 all out from 9.1 overs. Asif Hooper top scored with 30 from 14 deliveries, hitting 2 fours and 3 sixes. Strikers won comprehensively by 51 runs.
Fort Charlotte Strikers 126/4 (10 overs)
Grenadines Divers 75 all out (9.1 overs)