Bruce led from the front as Stags defeat Hurricanes  

A record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership in Match 7 of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League helped Central Stags secure their first win of the tournament under the lights against Hobart Hurricanes at Providence’s National Stadium, East Bank Demerara.

Stags won the toss and opted to bat first. New Zealand international opening batsman Will Young gave the Stags a steady start as they compiled 29 runs in the first four overs of the game. Hurricanes then introduced Mohammed Nabi into the attack, and he praised the wicket of Dane Cleaver as he was stumped on 7.

The Stags’ woes continued as Billy Stanlake got the big wicket of Will Young, who was undone by a short delivery, which he skied as Mohammed Nabi claimed the catch within the 30-yard circle. Going at a run rate of 6.16 runs per over, the Stags were 37 for 2 after the powerplay.

Dean Foxcroft’s poor tournament with bat in hand continued as Usama Mir got his wicket with a peach of a delivery as he stumped on 7. At the halfway point the Stags were 54 for 3.

Captain Tom Bruce and Curtis Heaphy put on the highest 4th wicket partnership in the GSL as their intelligent batting prowess got the Central Stags back into the game. Bruce was ultra-aggressive in the 15th over as he took 17 runs off Fabian Allen’s final over.

Tom Bruce brought up his half-century in the 18th over as he swept Mohammed Nabi behind backward square leg for four. Momentum continued to shift in favour of the Stags as they were finding the boundaries more frequently.

Heaphy would also go on to bring up his half-century in the 20th over of the game. The record-breaking partnership would finally come to an end as Tom Bruce, looking to go over the top, held out at deep extra cover to the bowling of Odean Smith. The partnership lasted 73 balls as Bruce and Heaphy produced 113 runs. At a strike rate of 172.22, Bruce made 62 off 36 balls, which included 8 boundaries and 1 six. Matthew Forde walked into the crease and muscled back-to-back sixes as the Stags ended the innings on 167 for 4 after their 20 overs. It was the highest total a batting team had so far in this year’s competition. Heaphy finished not-out on 50 from 38 deliveries.

The Stags had an early victory as off-spinner Angus Schaw removed Sri Lankan Bhanuka Rajapaksa for just four runs in the second over.  Shortly after attempting to reverse sweep Ajax Patel, Wright was sent packing by Foxcroft, who made a fantastic diving catch.  After six overs, with Ben McDermott and Jake Doran at the crease and the Hurricanes at 30 for 2, the Stags were in command.

After being dropped by Matthew Forde on 10, Ben McDermott failed to capitalise on his opportunity, and the Hurricanes’ Captain was dismissed by Blair Tickner after making just 15 off 18 balls. The Hurricanes were 46 for 3 after 10 overs and needed another 122 runs in the next 10 overs to win the game.

Hurricanes fell into further trouble as Jake Doran was caught at long-off by Matthew Forde for 17 at a strike rate of 68. Nikhil Chaudhary followed soon after, as he was caught on the boundary for 12. At 12.1 overs the Hurricanes were 62 for 5 and in big trouble.

Following Odean Smith’s dismissal, Mohammed Nabi began to give the Hurricanes’ innings a boost in the 16th over by hitting three straight sixes off Schaw.  With Mohammed Nabi and Fabian Allen at the crease, the Hurricanes required 56 runs from 18 balls.

As the pressure on the Stags players increased, Blair Tickner’s over went for 16 runs.  In the 19th over, Allen hit Matthew Forde for 21 runs, preserving the Hurricanes’ hopes when 40 was needed from 12.

With Mohammed Nabi on strike and 19 runs needed off 6 balls, Central Stags entrusted the last over to Blair Tickner. Tickner struck on the first ball as he dismissed Nabi for 43 from 25 balls. Usama Mir faced 2 balls as he was run out trying to get Fabian Allen on strike. With 19 needed off 3, Central Stags held their nerves to complete the victory. Fabian Allen finished the innings on 35 not-out as the Hurricanes finished on 151 for 8, losing by 16 runs.