Nazarite, Progressive in Courts T20 semi

The teams have never faced each other before but Nazarite, champions of the South East Zone of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, are brimming with confidence at the prospect of reaching their first Courts T20 final.

And they are relying heavily on their young, promising players to take them into the previously unknown territory of a national championship final where they will meet either Tobago side C&B Sports, or HYO.

Nazarite allrounder Macaine Smith said on Monday, after two postponements because of bad weather, his team is chomping at the bit to do the business against Progressive and prove that they can compete at the highest level of the Championship Division.

He said that Under-19 national player Cephas Cooper and his elder brother Silas, both opening batsmen are expected to provide the firepower at the top of the order.

He also highlighted the contribution so far of Negus Smith, the Nazarite captain, who bats and also bowls off-breaks to make his presence felt if they are to turn back Progressive. Smith also is optimistic that he can continue his extremely low economy rate with his medium pacers to make an impact.

Progressive on the other hand will also be looking to add Nazarite to their list of victims after winning the South West Zone T20 competition.

Their players come from the Cedros, Fullerton and Bonasse districts at the extreme tip of the island. They too are treading unknown territory but are a confident bunch having gained useful experience playing for Cedros Composite in the Secondary Schools Cricket League, with some players from Palo Seco adding depth to their line-up.

Among the highlights of their progress so far has been left-arm spinner Eldon Brown who is being looked upon as key to what is shaping up to be a keen tussle for supremacy among two teams from the outer reaches of the local cricket landscape.

Last week the battle to qualify for the other semi-final of the Courts T20 Inter-Club tournament was won by C&B Sports Club at Roxborough.

They beat Woodland by five wickets with just eight balls remaining.

C&B will now play HYO in the second semi-final on a date which will be finalised soon after flight confirmation by the TTCB (Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board) is secured for the Tobago team to travel to Trinidad.