Grenadines Divers vs Botanical Gardens Rangers Match Report – 12th Match VPL 5
Divers won the toss and chose to bowl.
Andre Fletcher and Keron Cottoy opened the batting. Asif Hooper with his left arm spin, bowling the new ball was driven through covers by Fletcher four. Fletcher advanced down the track to Hooper and drove high and far over the stands and out the ground then drove fiercely over long off for another six. Richie Richards bowled the 2nd over and was spectacular, conceding only six runs as Cottoy and Fletcher attempted to take him to the cleaners. Dean Browne, the leading bowler of the tournament so far, kept things under control as he bowled the 3rd over, both opening batsman unable to get him away.
The final over of the powerplay was bowled by off spinner Richie Richards. What was appearing to be a good over was quickly spoiled as spiceman Fletcher hit three consecutive sixes to finish the over and sent Rangers marching to 46/0. Keron Cottoy was being contained but he had enough and drove fast bowler Bibby over covers for a magnificent six. Rangers were 57/0 at the half way stage and well set for a big finish.
Cottoy was not in much control as he tried to belt Strough over long on but was dropped. Fletcher on the other hand was timing it properly and whacked Strough twice, over long and mid wicket, to pick up two more maximums. Fletcher brought up his half century from 18 deliveries.
Fletcher continued to maul the Divers bowling attack, hitting through the line freely and picking up boundaries at will. Rangers finished their innings on 148/0, a VPL record for the highest partnership, beating the previous best of 134. Fletcher remained not out on 98 from 34 deliveries, hitting 5 fours and 11 sixes. Keron Cottoy supported with 35 from 27, containing 4 fours and 1 six.
Kesrick Williams took the new ball and the battle between Williams and Walton continued. Williams bowled a no ball and the free hit ignited Walton as he drove over wide long off to pick up his first maximum then flicked beautifully over square leg to pick up another. He also played a beautifully guided shot square through the off side for a boundary and Williams gifted five wides to give Divers an incredible start, being 23/0. Walton in the 2nd over, drove off spinner Dember for four and pulled a short of a length delivery for six to push Divers to 35/0.
Rodrigo Thomas picked up two sixes and a four in the powerplay, motoring Divers to 54/0 at the end of the powerplay. Divers were held back by Ravendra Persaud, who continued his economical bowling form, as his two over spell went for only 11 runs and picking up the wicket of opener Thomas. Divers innings came to a stall as they were 67/1 after 6 overs and required a further 82 runs from 24 deliveries.
Walton tried his best to get Divers close, scoring his half century from 23 deliveries. The equation was down to 47 from 12 deliveries and Chadwick Walton belted consecutive sixes at the start of the penultimate over bowled by Primus. Primus got Walton as he attempted another big hit, with Kenneth Dember running across from mid off to take a good catch. Ryshon Williams marched to the crease and hit back to back sixes down to long on. A few extras brought the required runs to 20 from 6 deliveries.
Fletcher was given the job to bowl the last over and he dismissed Ryshon Williams with his first delivery. Divers could only get a further 12 runs from the over and Rangers went home victorious by 7 runs. Chadwick Walton top scored with 64 from 26 deliveries, hitting 3 fours and 7 sixes. Roshon Primus took 3/45 from his 2 overs.
Botanical Gardens Rangers 148/0 (10 overs)
Grenadines Divers 141/4 (10 overs)