A very efficient performance from defending champions LCB Central Sharks took them to victory over the Tridents Phoenix on Thursday and landed them a place in Friday's night final of the 2019 Courts T20 Blast at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
The Sharks bowlers were brilliant on Thursday night, stifling the Phoenix for for just 74 for six off their 20 overs, before their batters knocked off the required runs for the loss of two wickets in just 13.2 overs. With the win, the Sharks secure a battle with the Novel Sports Southern Titans in Friday's championship match from 7 pm.
Sharks dominated the game from the start as they used the slow nature of the pitch to frustrate the normally free-flowing Phoenix batters. With the rain around, groundsmen could not have prepared the pitch how they wanted and it was a bit sluggish. This caused the downfall of many of the batters, as the ball did not come unto the bat as they were expecting, resulting in many of them popping simple catches within the 30-yard circle.
The experienced West Indies duo of fast bowler Shinelle Henry and off-spinner Anisa Mohammed were a telling factor in their team’s brilliant display with the ball. Phoenix’s batting mainstay Hayley Matthews could not break out the shackles and although she top-scored with 33, it came off 41 balls with one six and three fours.
Mohammed ended with the superb figures of 1/12 off four overs, while Henry took 2/13 and Felicia Walters 2/7 off three overs. Also bowling well on the night were fellow spinners Shenata Grimmond 0/20 off four overs and Leandra Ramdeen with 0/13 also off four overs.
When LCB batted, they got off to a flyer thanks to Grimmond, who spanked 27 off 21 balls with four fours and a six. Skipper Mohammed then took over from there, scoring an unbeaten 21 off 26 balls with two fours. She and Shermaine Campbell (14 not out) featured in an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 38 that brought home the victory.
At the end of the game, Mohammed praised her players saying they stuck to their plan well and it paid off.
“We are very happy with the win and looking forward to the finals. We have played well and deserve to be in the finals. Hopefully, we can come back here tomorrow night and defend our title.”
SCORES:
EAST TRIDENTS PHOENIX 74-6 (20) (Hayley Matthews 34, Kyshona Knight 14, Shinelle Henry 2/23, Felicia Walters 2/7, Anisa Mohammed 1/12) v LCB CENTRAL SHARKS 75-2 (14.1) (13.2) (Shenata Grimmond 27, Anisa Mohammed 21no, Shermaine Campbelle 14no, Karishma Ramharack 1/10)
Result: Central Sharks won by 8 wkts