A breezy half century from Stephen Naitram and a five-wicket haul by Khan Elcock handed the Bamboo Blasters their first win in the Dream 11 Saint Lucia T10 Blast. Iyanola Heritage won their second match in as many days, consigning Whiptail Smashers to their second loss on Wednesday at the Gros Islet Playing Field.
Hard-hitting opening batsman Naitram was all but unstoppable on his way to 82 runs off 31 balls. He hit two fours from the first four deliveries he faced. As he settled, he laid into Marklin Sylvester for four consecutive sixes in the fifth over.
Naitram came back to lash Dornan Edward for 28 in the eighth, by which time the score was 113-2. The final two overs only led to 11 additional runs, giving the Calabash Giants a target of 125 in 10 overs.
The Giants’ reply got off to a poor start, as they lost Mervin Wells to the bowling of Dillan John in the first over. An 85-run partnership between Shadrack Descarte and Stephen Abraham got the chasing side back into the game, before Abraham fell for 20 in the seventh over.
Descarte was out two balls later for a well-played 62 from 25 balls, inclusive of four fours and six sixes. Well placed as they were, the Giants could not manage another partnership, and they were held to 110-9.
Elcock, better known as a batsman, did a job for his team with the ball. He conceded only eight runs from his two overs, and took two wickets. Kevin Gassie contributed 2-20.
The Heritage got to 121-3 in their 10 overs, paced by Gabriel Xavier with 37 runs from 16 balls and Kensley Paul adding 34 off 19, whilst Jeandell Cyril took 1-16 for the Smashers.
Jard Goodman hit 37 from 16 at the top of the order, and Kimani Melius made 28 off 13. But the Smashers were held to just 103-2.
Collinus Callendar allowed eight runs in his two overs, and took one wicket. Zinakki Louis also took the other wicket, conceding just 19 runs. Aaron Joseph kept the batters quiet as well, with only 14 runs given up in his two overs.
A total of 30 matches will be played, with the final being played on July 8. All games will be played at the Gros Islet Playing Field.
