Regional tournament for Blind &Visually Impaired
Jamaica have been crowned double champions for regional cricket for the blind and visually impaired, after defeating Barbados by 10 wickets in the T20 final yesterday at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) ground to add to their 40 over title achieved last week.
The Jamaicans accomplished the feat on the back of a strong batting performance by their openers, Alvin James and Lashane Myles. The respective B2 and B3 players blasted unbeaten scores of 57 and 49 as Jamaica finished on 121 without loss in 10 overs replying to 119-5 from 15 overs made by Barbados.
Through great hitting ability and positive running between the wickets, James and Myles managed to entertain the scores of fans who witnessed the match. That was subsequent to an outstanding bowling display by the lads from the Land of Wood and Water, which was spearheaded by Myles, who captured 2-11.
Halden Forde 43, and K. Ryan 22, were the top scores for the Bajan side.
After dominating proceedings in the 40-over segment, Team Jamaica automatically booked their place in the final, leaving Guyana and Barbados to do battle in the tri-nation event.
Barbados prevailed in the one-off semifinal, which came to a controversial ending due to misinterpretation of playing regulations.
Barbados batted first and posted 214-3 in 20 overs, compliments of skipper and B3 player Carl Sobers’ striking 64 and Ricardo Manning’s 49 not out. The pair added 136 for the fourth wicket in an instrumental stand for their side.
However, due to several mishaps by the host nation, Barbados were awarded 29 penalty runs, which helped them to 243-3 instead of the 214-3 which they originally made.
Guyana, in response, was restricted to 221-4, losing by 22 runs despite a valuable effort from Kevin Douglas 43, and Douglas Tika, 40.
Sobers was named man of the match for his brilliant batting.
The tournament saw 42 of the Region’s best compete for top honours and spots on the West Indies Team for the limited overs World Cup in Dubai and Pakistan in January 2018. Trinidad and Tobago are currently serving a two-year suspension from the event.
