[UPDATED] TT Legions win Breakout T20 title, Emrit impressed with overall talent

Trinidad and Tobago Legions copped the inaugural Cricket West Indies Breakout League T20 title after defeating Leeward Islands Thunder by 17 runs, in an entertaining final at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on May 10.

Sent in to bat, Legions posted a challenging total of 181/5 after 20 overs after losing their way in the middle overs. The hosts were in the driver seat at 82 for one in the tenth over, before slipping to 83 for four. However, enterprising knocks from opener Kamil Pooran (73 off 44 balls) and captain Joshua Da Silva (40 not out off 31) revived the innings.

In reply, Leewards gave the hosts an early scare in their chase, but were restricted to 164/9 as the Legions put the clamps on their batsmen.

Legions coach Rayad Emrit said the team fell about 20 runs short of their target, but he was very confident that anything over 175 could have been defended/

He said the flurry of wickets derailed them slightly, but at the halfway stage of their innings, they knew one good partnership would get them to a good score.

“Kamil set the game up nicely for the lower order,” he said.

Pooran and fellow opener Amir Jangoo put on a solid stance of 52 runs to give TT a positive start, punishing the Leewards bowlers all around the ground.

However, Leewards skipper Karima Gore tried his hand in the final power-play over and was rewarded when Jangoo played into the hands of Mikyle Louis.

New batsman Navin Bidaisee and Pooran added 30 runs runs to their total before Bidaisee was caught by Gore off Anderson Mahase’s slow left-arm spin.

Jyd Goolie faced two balls and departed without scoring courtesy leg-spinner Micah McKenzie. Legions’ Crystian Thurton also returned to pavilion without scoring, trapped plumb leg-before to Karima Gore after facing just three balls.

With TT slipping to 83/4, Da Silva joined Pooran in the middle and repaired the innings. Pooran batted fearlessly and smashed four sixes and seven fours in his aggressive knock.

However, on the final ball of the 15th over, Pooran’s scintillating effort ended as he was caught in the deep trying to hit Mahase for six. When he was dismissed, TT were 122/5.

With five overs remaining, Da Silva and Joshua James (26 not out off 16 balls) kept the fireworks going as they guided Legions to a formidable 181/5 from 20 overs.

Da Silva hit one six and four fours in his unbeaten knock of 40. James, who is currently banned from bowling due to an illegal action, hit one boundary and two sixes.

Topping the bowling for Thunder were Gore (2/22) and McKenzie (2/29).

On James’ late fireworks, Emrit said the Tobagonian showed his mettle and worth.

“When he got the news (that he was banned), he was very disappointed, but we know how capable he is (with the bat) and how destructive he can be on the back end. We don’t consider ourselves a team, we are a family, and he knows what he means to us.”

Set 182 for victory, Leewards had an even better start than TT in the power play as openers Kofi James (63) and Jamie Cornelius (11) posted 57 runs for the first wicket. TT fans would have been relieved to see Cornelius caught by Joshua James off McKenny Clarke in the fifth over.

However, Kofi James’ ruthlessness continued as he punished all bad balls and a few good ones as well. He and Jewel Andrew carried the score to 71 before the latter was caught by Mikel Govia off Bidaisee’s off-spin.

New batsmen Louis (one) did not last, as well as skipper Gore, who only scored five runs. At 89/4 after ten overs, and needing 92 runs from 60 balls, Leewards faced an uphill task.

Off-spinner Goolie played an integral role with the ball as he removed Kofi James for 63, caught by Joshua James. With TT regaining control of the contest, Goolie struck again as he had Mahase (four) trapped in front his stumps.

At 115/6 after 14 overs, Thunder were in a bit of trouble in pursuit of their target. Eight runs later, Goolie caught Giovante Depeiza (11) as Clarke took another wicket.

Needing 58 runs from the last five overs, Leewards’ Elroy Francis (23) and Cameron Pennyfeather (ten) bumped the score up to just over 150 runs, to take them to 155/7 after 18 overs.

With 27 runs to win, five came from the penultimate over, but not before Pennyfeather was bowled by Clarke to see Leewards stumble to 156/8.

With Francis and McKenzie (four not out) in the middle, they needed 22 from the final over.

However, Francis was caught behind by Da Silva off pacer Johann Layne as they fell short.

Legions’ best bowler was Goolie (3/13), while Clarke (3/34) also bagged three and Bidaisee 2/27.

Emrit hailed Goolie for bowling “really good and wisely” in the final.

“Spin again in the middle overs plays a big part in these matches.”

He praised his team for staying calm amid the early Kofi James storm. The batsman finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 240 runs.

“We know Kofi is that type of player. He can take the attack to us. We knew taking wickets outside the power play was crucial, and limiting run rate. We did that.”

Looking at the overall picture, Emrit said he was pleased with the overall talent level on display. He identified leg-spinners McKenzie, Guyana Rainforest Rangers’ Riyad Latiff, Windward Islands Infernos’ Darel Cyrus and TT’s Bidaisee, who excelled with bat and ball. “I think we saw a lot of young talents...I thought the tournament achieved what it wanted.”

He said the point system may need to be removed but he praised CWI and CPL for the initiative and putting on a good show. (with reporting by Stephon Nicholas)

Scores: TT LEGIONS 181-5 in 20 overs (Kamil Pooran 73, Joshua Da Silva 40 not out, Joshua James 26 not out, Amir Jangoo 23; Karima Gore 2-22, Micah McKenzie 2-29) vs LEEWARD ISLANDS THUNDER 164-9 in 20 overs (Kofi James 63, Elroy Francis 23, Jewel Andrew 14, Jamie Cornelius 11, Giovonte Depeiza 11, Cameron Pennyfeather 10; Jyd Goolie 3-13, McKenny Clarke 3-34, Navin Bidaisee 2-27).

Top batsmen

Kofi James (Leeward Islands Thunder) - 240 runs

Kevlon Anderson (Guyana Rainforest Rangers ) - 227 runs

Johann Jeremiah (Windward Islands Infernos) - 203 runs

Joshua Da Silva (TT Legions) - 161 runs

Alick Athanaze (Windward Islands Infernos) - 160 runs

Top bowlers

Micah McKenzie (Leeward Islands Thunder) - 12 wickets

Jediah Blades (Guyana Rainforest Rangers) - 10 wickets

Navin Bidaisee (TT Legions) - 10 wickets

Anderson Mahase (Leeward Islands Thunder) - 10 wickets

Ryan John (Windward Islands Infernos) - 9 wicketsa=

This story was originally published with the title "Trinidad and Tobago Legions cop inaugural Breakout League T20 final" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Trinidad and Tobago Legions copped the inaugural Cricket West Indies Breakout League T20 title after defeating Leeward Islands Thunder by 17 runs at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on May 10.

Sent in to bat, Legions posted a challenging total of 181/5 after 20 overs. In reply, Leewards showed grit in their chase but were restricted to 164/9 owing to target bowling from the Legions’ attack.

Openers Pooran and Jangoo put on a solid stance of 52 runs to give TT a positive start. The pair punished Leewards’ introductory bowlers all around the ground and showed intent on posting a strong opening partnership.

However, Leewards skipper Karima Gore tried his hand in the final power play over and was swiftly rewarded when Jangoo played into the hands of Mikyle Louis.

New batsman Navin Bidaisee and Pooran added 30 runs to their total before Bidaisee was caught out by Gore off Anderson Mahase’s slow left-arm spin.

Jyd Goolie faced two balls and departed without scoring, but Pooran stuck to the task. Legions’ Crystian Thurton also returned to the pavilion without scoring after facing just three balls.

With TT slipping to 83/4, skipper Joshua Da Silva (40 not out) joined Pooran in the middle and the pair repaired the innings. Pooran batted fearlessly and smashed four sixes and seven fours in his aggressive knock.

On the final ball of the 15th over, however, Pooran perished after a scintillating knock, smashing a quick-fire 73 runs from 44 balls. When he was dismissed, TT were 122/5.

With five overs remaining, Da Silva and Joshua James (26 not out) kept fireworks going with the bat, as they guided Legions to a formidable 181/5 from 20 overs.

Da Silva hit one six and four fours in his unbeaten knock of 40.

Topping the bowling for Thunder were Gore (2/22) and Micah McKenzie (2/29).

Set at 182 for victory with the inaugural Breakout League T20 title on the line, Leewards had an even better start than TT in the power play as openers Kofi James (63) and Jamie Cornelius (11) posted 57 runs for the first wicket; Cornelius caught by Joshua James off McKenny Clarke’s pace.

Kofi James was ruthless with the bat and made the Legions bowlers pay, punishing all bad balls. He and Jewel Andrew carried the score to 71 before the latter was caught by Mikel Govia off Bidaisee’s off-spin.

New batsmen Louis (one) did not last, as well as skipper Gore, who only scored five runs. At 89/4 after ten overs, and needing 92 runs from 60 balls, Leewards faced an uphill task while Legions battled to keep their batsmen at bay.

Off-spinner Goolie played an integral role with the ball as he removed Kofi James for 63, caught by Joshua James.

With TT regaining control of the contest, Goolie struck again as he had Mahase (four) trapped in front of his stumps.

At 115/6 after 14 overs, Thunder were in a bit of trouble in pursuit of their target. Eight runs later, Goolie kept within the wickets, this time, catching Giovante Depeiza (11) out off Clarke’s pace.

Needing 58 runs from the last five overs, hosts Legions pressed for the remaining wickets. Leewards’ Elroy Francis (23) and Cameron Pennyfeather (ten) bumped the score up to just over 150 runs, to take them to 155/7 after 18 overs.

With 27 runs to win, five came from the penultimate over, but not before Pennyfeather was bowled by Clarke to see Leewards stumble to 156/8.

With Francis and McKenzie (four not out) in the middle, they needed 22 from the final over, but TT would not have it, as Francis was caught behind by Da Silva off Johann Layne’s pace, with just two balls remaining.

In the end, TT restricted Thunder to 164/9, to earn victory.

Legions’ best bowler was Goolie (3/13) while Clarke (3/34) also bagged three, and Bidaisee 2/27.