Soca Kings are just one win away from wrapping up the Dream 11 Trinidad T10 Blast after they narrowly edged Steelpan Players on Saturday in the first qualifier. However, Steelpan Players have an opportunity for revenge in the final Sunday, if they beat Scarlet Ibis Scorchers in the second qualifier today, ahead of the final.
Sidel Diaz continued his rich vein of form when Steelpan Players batted first. The opener slammed an unbeaten 58 from 20 balls, including eight sixes and Teshawn Castro’s good series with both bat and ball continued with 26 from just nine balls.
Jyd Goolie scored 19 not out from just six balls as Steelpan Players scored 146 for 3 from their allotment of 10 overs.
In reply, Soca Kings lost Kirsten Kallicharan for 12 with the score on 17. Skipper Lendl Simmons joined Tion Webster and hit six sixes and five fours in his unbeaten 70 while Tion Webster's unbeaten 53 came off 23 balls and included five sixes.
With 16 runs needed in the last over, Webster pulled Rakesh Maharaj over mid wicket for a maximum and after a leg bye, Simmons hit a six over long on. Three singles off the last three balls ensured Soca Kings will play in today's final with a nine-wicket win.
Steelpan Players will however get a second chance to reach the final in today’s first second qualifier against Scarlet Ibis Scorchers who beat Cocrico Cavaliers by 71 runs in the eliminator.
Mikkel Govia starred with 43 from 21 balls as Scorchers mounted 144 for 5 when they batted first.
When the Cavaliers batted, it was Eric Garcia’s turn to star with the ball as he took 2 for 2 and an unlikely hero, Leonardo Julien, who exchanged the gloves for the ball as he took 2 for 5 from two overs as the Cavaliers were restricted to 72 for 9 in their quest for the win.
They fell short by 71 runs to hand Scarlet Ibis the chance to face Steelpan Players in the second qualifier.
SUMMARISED SCORES
Soca Kings 141/1 (10 Overs) (Kirstan Kallicharan 79*; Avinash Mahabirsingh 1-30) vs Cocrico Cavaliers 125 /4 (10 Overs) (Jesse Bootan 47*; Silus Cooper 43; Tevon Jadoo 2-16). Soca Kings won by 16 runs.
Qualifier #1
Steelpan Players 145/3 (10 Overs) (Sidel Diaz 58 not out; Nicholas Ali 1-15; Tion Webster 1-16) vs Soca Kings 147/1 (10 Overs) (Lendl Simmons 70 not out; Tion Webster 53 not out; Teshawn Castro 1-26). Soca Kings won by 9 wickets
Eliminator:
Scarlet Ibis Scorchers 143 /5 (10 Overs) (Mikkel Govia 43; Jean Barrie 1-10) vs Cocrico Cavaliers 73 /9 (10 Overs) (Kyle Ramdoo 20; Eric Garcia 2-2; Leonardo Julien 2-5). Scarlet Ibis Scorchers won by 71 runs.
Today’s matche
Second Qualifier
Steelpan Players vs Scarlet Ibis Scorchers, 11:30 am
Dream XI Trinidad Blast T10 Final
Soca Kings vs Winner of Second Qualifier
