CUL DE SAC--The Flamboyant Firebats recorded its first win in Cricket St. Maarten High Performance League with a clinical five-wicket win over Super Smashers at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark on Sunday.
The Super Smashers won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first. They posted 170 all out in 45.5 out of the 50 overs available to bat. In response, Flamboyant Firebats overhauled the total with 15.4 overs to spare.
Captain of the Firebats Kenroy David led his team to the win with an unbeaten 57 off 50 balls. He slammed four sixes and two fours. Lionel Ritchie contributed a well- calculated 40 not out off 50 balls. He hit five fours. David and Ritchie came together with their team in trouble at 74 for five in the 20th over, but remained right to the end to see their team cross the line.
The Firebats had a promising reply when opening batsmen Shadrack Descarte and Shem Pascal posted 39 for the first wicket. After Descarte was caught at mid-off for 24 off 20 balls (2x4, 1x6) off the bowling of Moreland Le Blanc, Mrinal Wadhwa was caught behind for naught, four balls later off the same bowler. On the other hand, Damiel Williams clobbered two big sixes that sailed over the trench and into the yard to the north of the ground. Both balls had to be replaced for the match to continue.
Pascal occupied the crease for 36 balls for his six runs before he was adjudged leg before wicket (LBW) with the team score on 50 for three off 13 overs. Kern Saunders received a toe-crusher for his first ball and was adjudged LBW for naught at 60 for four. Williams was then given out LBW for 21 off 29 balls (1x4, 2x6) as the team slumped to 74 for five.
When David and Ritchie combined for the partnership, batting suddenly got easier in the run chase. They punished the bad deliveries and at no time were starved from hitting fours and sixes. The two senior players’ partnership was worth 100 off 15.2 overs.
Le Blanc who finished with bowling figures of 7-1-34-2 was smashed for 29 off his last three overs with Williams and David doing the brunt of the damage.
The best bowler for the losers was Daniel Doram with figures of 8-0-23-2.
The Smashers’ total was built around 40 off 100 balls from Damien Beckford (4x4) who was promoted to open the batting, 38 off 66 balls from Moreland Le Blanc (3x4) and 35 off 46 balls from Captain Romain Doodnauth (1x4, 1x6). Troy Toney also contributed a brisk 20 off 17 balls with three fours.
Beckford and Le Blanc united for 79 runs for the second wicket, but used up 19.3 overs.
The best bowler for the winners was Ritchie with figures of 8-2-12-3.
The next match in the High Performance League is on March 19, when Firebats do battle against the unbeaten Brazen Bulls.
