Parkites, Merry Boys clash in ‘semi’

The teams met on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Carib Shield 20-overs competition, with Merry Boys prevailing by 20 runs. This time, both teams will each have a maximum of 50 overs apiece to determine the winner, who will advance to the final on March 18.

The final will be a day/night affair at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre. From 10 am, the battle-lines will be drawn, with past and present national players Lendl Simmons and Richard Kelly, as well as Lincoln Roberts, Aneil Kanhai, Ken Hazel, Kenton Thompson and the consistent Mario Belcon leading the charge for Merry Boys.

On the other side of the coin the Parkites, led by national fast bowler Mervyn Dillon, will be relying on ex-West Indies youth player Jonathan Augustus, all-rounder Rishaad Harris and spinner Shakeel Ali for success.

While the clash in Diego Martin will be a keenly-contested affair, another mouth-watering contest will take place at Gilbert Park in Couva as CLICO Preysal oppose Alescon Comet.

Preysal will pin their hopes on a victory on swashbuckling opener Andy Jackson, another ex-TT player Shazam Babwah, Anderson Bryce, Kyron Lynch and former Barbadian and West Indies all-rounder Ryan Hurley.

Comet will be looking for vital contributions from Manoj Sirju, Rajendra Mangalee and Rodney Sooklal if they are to progress to the March 18 finale.

Another pair of semi-finals will take place today in the Reserve League 40-overs contest, with Comet opposing W Connection Wanderers at Munroe Road, Cunupia while, at the Inshan Ali Park in Preysal, FCB Clarke Road will square off against the Parkites.

First ball will be bowled at 11.30 am.