CUL DE SAC-- Cricket fans can expect another exciting weekend of action to whet their appetites as the Motorworld T20 tournament continues on Saturday and Sunday at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark.
On Saturday, from 2:00pm, Masters will do battle against We Lounge Kaieteur, while two intriguing matches are scheduled for Sunday. From 10:00am, Veterans will take on Future Champs B, before the featured match at 2:00pm brings together two promising teams, Sun Insurance Jaguars and Windward Express Conquerors.
These matches are important to all six teams as they seek to lay down an early marker and demonstrate what can be expected of them throughout the tournament.
The Masters versus Kaieteur encounter features a Masters team comprising mostly players over 40, while Kaieteur boasts a blend of youth and experience. Masters are the defending champions of the B-Division and remain the team to beat because of their dominance over the years. However, teams such as Kaieteur, Veterans and Future Champs B will be looking to upstage the defending champions, and the challenge starts now.
The contest between Veterans and Future Champs B brings together one of the oldest teams against the youngest team in the competition. Veterans were labelled the whipping boys of the tournament last season and will therefore be looking to register their first victory and build momentum throughout the competition. One of their key players is Peter Edward, who was their leading run-scorer last season. Meanwhile, Future Champs B boast several potential match-winners, including their leading run-scorer Kyan Maccow, Leeward Islands U19 player Jethan Edward and Josh Hodge, who is known for his accurate bowling.
The featured match between Jaguars and Conquerors promises to be a mouth-watering contest. Most cricket pundits believe these two teams are on an upward trajectory and are ready to challenge the more established clubs. Last season, Jaguars defeated both NAGICO and Spartans in the preliminary round, a memorable feat for the emerging team. Jaguars' standout player was Sabinus Emmanuel, who topped the team's charts with both bat and ball.
For Conquerors, much will be expected from Anguilla's Roland Wright and Amarius Harris in the bowling and batting departments. However, players such as Lerry Baptiste, Michael Lewis and Renel Blondell are also capable of producing match-winning performances on their day.
Conquerors reached the final of the tournament last season following a spirited campaign that displayed sheer courage and determination. The club is one of the longest-standing cricket clubs on the island, with a proud history and a strong fighting spirit. Although Conquerors may not boast the same strength on paper as some of the more established teams, their pride, determination and team unity have often made them formidable opponents.
With both Jaguars and Conquerors eager to build on last season's performances and establish themselves among the tournament's leading contenders, Sunday's featured encounter promises to deliver an exciting brand of cricket.
