Babonneau, Central stride into PM’s Cup semifinals

Babonneau and Central Castries have joined Choiseul and Soufriere in the semifinals of the Prime Minister’s Cup T20 Men’s Cricket Tournament, with wins on Thursday night, March 20, at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds and Mindoo Phillip Park, respectively.

Babonneau dominated Gros Islet with a nine-wicket win. Gros Islet tallied 174-9 in their 20 overs, with Dominic Auguste making 29 from 23 balls, and Tarrique Edward 28 from 21. A brilliant outing from off-spinner Yunieski Gustave pegged back Gros Islet, as he ended with 5-27, having removed Edward and cleaned up the lower order.

In reply, Babonneau’s Johnnel Eugene smacked the Gros Islet bowlers to every corner of the ground, bashing five sixes and six fours in a knock of 72 off 49 balls. Dane Edward provided excellent support at the other end, with 50 from 42, and Gros Islet’s bowlers never seemed able to find the right line and length, as the Babonneau openers put on 112 in just 79 balls.

Alex Joseph, who came in at the fall of Eugene’s wicket, formalised the result in the 18th over with his third four. He had earlier hit Simeon Gerson for four sixes and a four in the 16th over and ended on 39 runs from just 14 balls.

Central Castries defeated South Castries by 49 runs at the Mindoo Phillip Park. Put in to bat, Central rang up a massive 248-3, behind half centuries from Stephen Naitram and Jaden Elibox. Theo Edward smashed 46 off just 21 balls at the top of the order, and Jamaal James added 31. But Naitram had five sixes and as many fours in a knock of 77, facing only 40 balls. And Elibox was unbeaten on 71 off 32, with six fours and six sixes. Johnson Charles took a wicket, but gave up 46 runs in only three overs. 

Charles took responsibility with the bat, hitting 69 from 38, inclusive of nine sixes. Bolton Sayers was dismissed for one in the third over, Ephron Charles and Tonius Simon both got into the 20s, but the innings never gathered significant momentum, and South Castries were held to 199-8. Dillan John, Jaden Elibox and Zayee Antoine each took two wickets.

(TF)