Webster launches Parkites into UWI semis

QUEEN'S PARK rolled into the semifinals of the 2019 UWI-UNICOM T20 Tournament with an emphatic 38-run win over Merry Boys, as they seek to claim the title for the first time. The Parkites amassed 206 for four in their allotted 20 overs, only for Merry Boys to respond with 168 for six. Man-of-the-match Tion Webster slammed 106 off 59 balls to take his team home in resounding fashion.

Sent in to bat, Queen's Park got off to a rapid start with an opening stand of 77 with Nicholas Alexis and Webster unleashing a flurry of sixes. Alexis made 38 off 31 with five fours and a six, only for Webster to take command when his partner was out leg-before by Rishaad Harris. Harris trapped Isiah Rajah (1) the same way before skipper Daron Cruickshank came to the fore with 52. His knock came off just 34 balls with seven fours and a pair of maximums, but it was Webster who really dominated proceedings.

He was harsh on Nathaniel McDavid, taking him for 18 in his lone over, and spinner Javed Ramdhanie, lofting four sixes over long-on, mid-off and square-leg. He slapped seven fours and eight sixes in his knock, as they put on 125 for the third wicket. Attiba Allert would then claim Cruickshank and Terrance Hinds for a duck but the Parkites eventually got to their mammoth total with Webster remaining not out.

In their turn at the crease, Merry Boys lost Mario Belcon (13) and Reynaldo Sammy (15) early on before Leonardo Julien stepped the run-rate up with 61 off 38. He cracked five fours and four sixes only for left-arm orthodox Akeal Hosein to scalp him. Merry Boys struggled to build partnerships, with Hosein removing H Mitchell for 33 (three sixes) and Aneil Kanhai (20) falling to Webster. By the time Hinds bowled McDavid for duck, Merry Boys were far from the target and resigned to their exit from the tournament.

Summarised scores: QPCC 206/4 (Tion Webster 106 not out, Daron Cruickshank 52, Nicholas Alexis 38, Rishaad Harris 2/30, Atiba Allert 2/34) vs Merry Boys 168/6 (Leonardo Julien 61, H. Mitchell 33, Aneil Kanhai 20, Akeal Hosein 2/34). Queen’s Park won by 38 runs.