Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC — Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller’s seven-wicket haul broke Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s spirit, and lifted Jamaica Franchise to a 38-run victory on the final day of their third round match on Monday.
Chasing 239 for victory, T&T buckled under the weight of Miller’s seven for 63 and were all out for 201 at Queen’s Park Oval.
The win was Jamaica’s second in the new WICB Professional Cricket League while T&T suffered their first defeat.
Wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 55, Akeal Hosein struck 35 not out and captain Rayad Emrit, 30, while opener Lendl Simmons chipped in with 27.
Resuming the day on 24 for one, T&T slumped to 84 for six just after lunch and seemed headed for an early defeat until the lower order put a fight.
Night watchman Marlon Richards failed to score, popping a catch off to Shacaya Thomas at short leg off left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell at 29 for two in the second over of the day.
Jamaica’s bowlers then tested Lendl Simmons’ patience with tight bowling, trying down the right-hander before Miller had him stumped in the same over in which he cleared the ropes for the only six of his 56-ball innings.
Summarized Scores:
Jamaica 1st Innings: 173 All Out (64 Overs). Tamar Lambert* 87, David Bernard Jr 65, Carlton Baugh Jr+ 6, Nikita Miller 3; Imran Khan 18-4-52-6, Marlon Richards 14-5-31-3, Rayad Emrit 11-4-24-1, Jason Mohammed 1-0-1-0.
T&T Red Force 1st Innings: 131 All Out (44.4 Overs). Imran Khan 26, Evin Lewis 25, Rayad Emrit* 17, Jason Mohammed 15; Sheldon Cottrell 16-4-42-5, Damian Jacobs 3.4-2-3-2, Marquino Mindley 11-1-28-2, Nikita Miller 10-3-19-0.
Jamaica 2nd Innings: 196 All Out (73.5 Overs). Shacaya Thomas 46, Nikita Miller 40, Damian Jacobs 29, Andre McCarthy 21; Daniel St Clair 10-3-38-3, Akeal Hosein 14.5-7-18-2, Rayad Emrit 16-7-39-2, Marlon Richards 9-1-25-1.
T&T Red Force 2nd Innings: 201 All Out (66.5 Overs). Nicholas Pooran 55, Akeal Hosein 35*, Rayad Emrit 30, Lendl Simmons 27; Nikita Miller 29-11-63-7, Damion Jacobs 18-4-60-1, Sheldon Cottrell 13-3-44-1, Tamar Lambert 0.5-0-1-1.
Points standings after third round
Guyana Jaguars -39 points
Jamaica franchise –34 points
Barbados pride –27 points
T&T Red force—23 points
Windwards franchise 22 points
Leewards franchise –7 points