Leewards defeat Red Force behind Hamilton’s 21-ball stunner

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Jahmar Hamilton stunned favoured hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force with a 21-ball half-century as Leeward Islands Hurricanes pulled off an exciting four-wicket win in the second Super50 Cup semi-final, to set up an intriguing clash with WI Emerging Players in today’s final.

Chasing a challenging 269 at Queen’s Park Oval on Friday night, Hurricanes reached their target with three balls to spare, with captain Hamilton unleashing a scintillating unbeaten 78 off 34 deliveries.

With six runs needed from the final over, the 29-yearold smashed part-time off-spinner Jason Mohammad for four off the second ball to erase any doubt about the result, before formalising the win with a single off the very next delivery.

All told, the right-handed Hamilton belted three fours and eight sixes in an innings that left Red Force shellshocked, after the hosts believed they held the advantage with Hurricanes stumbling on 165 for five in the 39th over.

Strokemaker Keacy Carty supported with a polished 53 off 70 deliveries while West Indies opener Kieran Powell struck a breezy 47 from 49 deliveries and Devon Thomas, a patient 28 from 50 balls.

Red Force had earlier made all the running when they gathered 268 for eight off their 50 overs, with opener

Tion Webster smashing 91 off 120 balls and Mohammed carving out 59 from 55 deliveries.

West Indies batting star Darren Bravo got 34 and fellow left-hander Jeremy Solozano, 30, but Red Force lost their way late on after being well poised on 209 for three in the 44th over – losing their last five wickets for 59 runs off the last 42 balls of the innings.

Fast bowler Sheeno Berridge, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps, finished with four for 58.

Sent in, Red Force batted well in partnerships, Webster posting 99 for the first wicket with Solozano before adding a further 34 for the second with Keagan Simmons (14).