Two of the unlikeliest teams will battle for the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 title when the Leeward Islands Hurricanes come up against the West Indies Emerging Players today at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.
When the umpires call play at 1.30 pm, Hurricanes skipper Jahamar Hamilton will be looking for another stellar performance from his boys, as they did to topple favourites T&T Red Force in the semis on Friday, as they seek to become the first team to get their name inscribed on the new cup.
Hamilton himself led from the front with a brilliant unbeaten 78 off 34 balls to take his team to a come-from-behind win in the semifinal against the Red Force and he is also confident going into the finals.
“We are playing good cricket and we have been working hard and fighting as you saw against the Red Force,” Hamilton told Guardian Media on the even of the all-important season finale.
“We need that one big game again and we will be able to take the title. We have to go into the match looking to play to our strengths and we will prevail once we do this. The Emerging Team had played well this season and we know that they will be coming hard at us looking for the title. We have had some standout performances and we are looking for the experienced men to come forward again in order for us to end on top.”
The West Indies Emerging Players took care of Barbados Barbados Pride by three wickets in a low scoring semifinal on Thursday and will hope that their batting can click for this title match. Their bowling has been their strength throughout the tournament but their batting has been short at times.
Skipper Yannic Cariah said: “The team spirit in our camp has been key for us so far. We have stuck together and supported each other and has gotten through many difficult periods. The boys are all the better for it leading into the finals and we are anxious to play this match.
“Our goal leading into this tournament was to reach far and we have done it. One final hurdle and we will be the champions. The boys know that and they will be ready to deliver at match time.”
TEAMS:
WI Emerging Players: Yannic Cariah (Captain), Kimani Melius (Vice-Captain), Camarie Boyce, Roland Cato, Joshua Da Silva, Dominic Drakes, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Leonardo Julian, Jermaine Levy, Ashmead Nedd, Gidron Pope, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair.
Leewards Hurricanes: Jahmar Hamilton (c), Keacy Carty, Colin Archibald, Jason Campbell, Quinton Boatswain, Amir Jangoo, Montcin Hodge, Yannick Leonard, Sheno Berridge, Akeem Saunders, Devon Thomas, Keiran Powell, Terrence Warde.
