Dark View Explorers vs Botanical Gardens Rangers Match Report – 15th Match VPL 5
Rangers won the toss and chose to bowl.
Primus took the new ball and was helped by the bounce in the wicket, bowling shortish lengths that were difficult to get away. Kenneth Dember had Pierre plumb lbw then had Descarte caught off his own bowling for a duck to reduce Explorers to 5/2. Explorers picked up three boundaries in the 3rd over, bowled by Persaud. Dember bowled the final over of the powerplay and only conceded 5 runs, with his spell only going for 7 runs and picking up two key wickets to keep Explorers batsmen in check.
Navin Stewart advanced down the track twice and hit Persaud over long off and long on for maximums to push Explorers to 39/2 after 5 overs. Greaves facing up against Atticus Browne, pulled hard and flat then cut behind point for consecutive boundaries during the 6th over. Explorers were 57/2 after 7 overs and needed a big finish in their last 3 overs.
Explorers got 37 runs from their final 3 overs, which was wonderful but they had too many cheap overs during the innings and was restricted to 94/3. Navin Stewart played wonderfully, and top scored with 45 not out from 24 deliveries, hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes.
Darius Martin started the innings bad, bowling a no ball and Fletcher smoked the free hit, a back of a length delivery over mid wicket for six. Fletcher cut for four the next delivery then Martin bowled a sharp bouncer but it flew over the keeper head and was a no ball. Fletcher was in astonishing form and smashed another huge six out the ground. The opening over cost 26 runs.
Cottoy drove his first delivery for six then pulled a shortish delivery for four, which was bowled by off spinner Greaves during the 2nd over. Fletcher had to have piece of the fun and advanced down the track and hit big over long on then advanced again and hit over mid off this time for four. The 2nd over went for 25 runs, Rangers being 51/0 after 2 overs.
Sealron Williams delivered some magic in the 3rd over, having Keron Cottoy stumped, deceived by a slider. He then dismissed Andre Fletcher who tried to launch a good length leg break into the old airport compound. Persaud hit a six and four off the bowling of Descarte but he was tamely dismissed trying to guide a short ball down to third man but could only nick it to the keeper.
The game was getting really exciting as Wayne Harper got retire hurt after Primus sent a stunning shot into his hand. Roshon Primus was then dismissed by Shaman Hooper during the 6th over, helping a shortish delivery off his body into the hands of the short fine leg fielder. There was a clear chance for a run out Roneil Jeffrey but the fielder returned the ball poorly to the bowler.
Navin Stewart had Atticus Browne dismissed, caught beautifully at point by captain Romano Pierre to restrict Rangers to 76/5, who were motoring easily at 51/0 after 2 overs. Rangers got home safely in the end, winning by 4 wickets with 7 balls to spare. Andre Fletcher top scored with 38 from 13 deliveries which contained 5 fours and 3 sixes. Sealron Williams was the pick of the bowlers with 2/12 from his two overs.
Dark View Explorers 94/3 (10 overs)
Botanical Gardens Rangers 95/6 (8.5 overs)