By Sherdon Cowan- The Leeward Islands Thunders made a powerful statement in their opening contest of the West Indies T20 Breakout League, as they cruised to a comfortable six-wicket win over the Jamaica Titans at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday.
Led by a sharp spell of left-arm spin from Anderson Mahase and a composed knock from captain Karima Nazaran, the Thunders took early control of the contest and never relinquished it, as they chased down a modest target at 127-4 with 20 balls to spare.
After choosing to bat first, the Titans struggled to find any real momentum and finished at 123-6 from their 20 overs. Mahase proved to be the Titans’ chief tormentor, as he grabbed 3-16 in a pivotal middle-overs burst that broke the backbone of the Jamaican innings. His efforts were well supported by tight spells from the rest of the Thunders’ attack.
Scores: Jamaica Titans 123-6 (20 overs); Leeward Islands Thunders 127-4 (16.4 overs)
The Titans had a steady start when Leroy Lugg and Kirk McKenzie pushed them to 21 before Lugg was caught by Mahase off Nazaran for 14. McKenzie and Jordan Johnson then stitched together a 54-run partnership, with McKenzie looking particularly dangerous as he struck two sixes and a four in his run-a-ball 34. However, McKenzie’s dismissal — caught by Mahase off Kofi James — triggered a slide the Titans never truly recovered from.
Mahase returned to wreak havoc, removing Ramaal Lewis (one), Andrew Rambaran (16), and Jeavor Royal (zero) in quick succession, while Johnson’s resilient 40 off 45 balls ended via a run-out in the final over.
Set 124 for victory, the Thunders launched their reply with real intent. Openers Kofi James and Jamie Cornelius combined for a brisk 64-run stand, with James particularly brutal, hammering 39 off just 20 balls, including three fours and four towering sixes. His departure, caught by McKenzie off Royal, and a mini-collapse that saw the Thunders slip to 81-4 after losing Mikyle Louis (zero), Cornelius (16), and Jewel Andrew (11), briefly gave the Titans hope.
But any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished by Gore’s calm leadership. The Thunders skipper struck two sixes in a composed, unbeaten 34 that steered his team alongside the steady Giovonte Depeiza, who finished 17 not out. Their unbroken 46-run partnership sealed a dominant victory.
Ramaal Lewis (2-15) and Jeavor Royal (2-14) were the pick of the bowlers for the Titans, but it was not enough to save them from an early defeat.
With the win, the Thunders moved to second place in the standings with six points, trailing only the Trinidad and Tobago Legions, who were set to face the Guyana Rainforest Rangers later in the evening. For the Jamaica Titans, the loss leaves them at the bottom of the six-team table. (Sportsmax)