All roads lead to Providence today for Jam Zone Masters' Cups semis

All roads lead to Providence today for Jam Zone Masters’ Cups semis

Aug 12, 2011 Sports

By Sean Devers

The wait is finally over and the battle about to begin as the biggest stars in Caribbean T20 cricket collide in two exciting semi-finals of the Jam Zone Masters’ Cup T20 cricket competition at the Guyana National Stadium today.
A capacity crowd of 15,000 is anticipated as New Line Cavaliers and Gizmos & Gadgets Georgetown Pitbulls square off in the opening match from 17:00hrs.
IPL’s biggest name, Chris Gayle will team up with IPL winner Dwayne Bravo in the Hits and Jams All Stars to oppose Davendra Bishoo’s Universal DVD Berbice Titans in the second semi-final from 21:00hrs.

Bravo collects his shirt from Skipper Tull

Led by stylish Guyanese batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan, the Pitbulls will be banking on the big hitting Kieron Pollard to scatter the fans while Chris Barnwell, Trevon Griffith, Steven Jacobs, Shemroy Barrington and Derwin Christian are capable of producing fireworks with the bat on what should be a slow track and lightning fast outfield.
The toss could be important in this day/night contest since the team batting second will have to bat under lights.
West Indies left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn could play a key role for the Pitbulls while the off-spin of Steven Jacobs could also be important in conditions that Jerome Taylor, Andre Stoll Kellon Carmichael, Krismar Santokie, Barnwell and Pollard will need to bowl the perfect length to avoid being clobbered around the park.
New Line Cavaliers start will hinge on the dynamic West Indies opener Lindl Simmons and the brutal Andrew Lyght Jnr. who in particular, if he gets going, fans could be in for a treat of brutal hitting.
Dale Richards and fellow Bajan Dwayne Smith are both attacking batsmen and if the elegant Gajanand Singh gets going the action should be riveting. Mahendra Nagamootoo will lead the New Line Cavaliers spin attack although the genuinely quick Fidel Edwards and medium pacers Simmons, Smith and Paul Wintz form an impressive seam attack.
Tickets, which cost $1,000 at Ashmins or the Guyana Cricket Board office today, will cost $2,000 at the gate and fans are allowed to walk with their drums, horns and food baskets as they support the team of their choice.
Music in the party stand and the dancing girls should create a fantastic atmosphere and if Gayle hits a few off the middle of his bat, the spectators could be ducking for cover.
Off-spinner Krishendat Ramoo dismissed Gayle the last time he played against the Jamaican left-hander but the claim that Berbice is not afraid of Gayle could motivate the world’s top T20 batsman to launch a vicious onslaught on Ramoo if he opens the bowling.
Test pacer Brandon Bess is quick but at times erratic and Gayle could set up a riveting encounter, especially if he gets support from Bravo, Johnson, Danza Hyatt, Troy Gonsalves, Robin Bacchus and Andre Russell.
The only team not to utalise the option of using a maximum four overseas Internationals, Berbice, has the explosive Jonathon Foo, Richard Ramdeen, the Crandon brothers and Anthony Bramble in their lineup.
Bravo and Russell should trouble the batsmen while left-arm spinner Raj Nanan, Gonsalves and leg-spinner Johnson could play key roles with the ball for the Hits and Jams Pitbulls’ side.
Many fans will be hoping that Gayle lights up Providence tonight and spectators are advised to get to the ground early to see the Tyrell Tull led Hits and Jams All Stars look to advance to Sunday’s final.
The tournament has been approved by the WICB and GCB and is being played with International T20 standards and regulations. Gates open at 15:00hrs.

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