BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Half-centuries from Kjorn Ottley and fellow left-hander Nicholas Kirton powered Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners to an eight-wicket victory over Leeward Islands Hurricanes on Monday here, confirming them into the top spot in Group “B” of the Super50 Cup.
Ottley hit the top score of 67 from 94 balls and Kirton was unbeaten on 65 from 97 balls, as the Marooners finished the group strongly, romping to their fifth victory and moving to a final total of 26 points, five more than second-placed Jamaica Scorpions.
In the other Group “B” contest: Opener Monank Patel collected his maiden List “A” hundred, as the United States ended their participation with a 74-run victory over the Scorpions.
The results mean that Scorpions will face Guyana Jaguars in the first semi-final on Thursday at Kensington Oval, where Marooners meet Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the second semi-final on the following day. Both matches will commence at 2 pm.
At Kensington Oval: Chasing a rain-reduced target of 169 from 41 overs, the Marooners comfortably got over the finish line with successive half-century stands for the second and third wickets.
Ottley put on 79 for the second wicket with Kirton, whose 55-run unbroken stand with Jonathan Drakes then carried the Barbados-based composite side to their target with 13 balls remaining.
Earlier, Jamaica-born fast bowler Jermaine Levy was the pick of the Marooners’ bowlers, taking 4-48 from 10 overs, as the Hurricanes, choosing to bat, were restricted to 209 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs.
Hurricanes captain Devon Thomas led the way with 46, but there was neither substance nor stability from the rest of the batting.
At the Three Ws Oval: The India-born Patel cracked eight fours and two sixes in 109 from 126 balls to earn the Player-of-the-Match award and was the backbone of the United States innings of 240 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs.
Barbadian Aaron Jones, drafted into the squad last week, supported with 66 from 101 balls and Alex Amsterdam made 21.
Jerome Taylor was the most successful Scorpions bowlers, taking 4-34 from eight overs.
In reply, the Scorpions were dismissed for 166 in 41.4 overs with Jermaine Blackwood leading the way with a run-a-ball 51, as the rest of the batting misfired.
Leg-spinners Timil Patel and Aaron Jones shared five wickets between them.
Updated Point Standings
ZONE A
Guyana Jaguars 29 points
T&T Red force 27 points
West Indies B 16 points
Windwards Volcanoes 9 points
Canada 8 points
Zone B
CCC Marooners 26 points
Jamaica Scorpions 21 points
Barbados Pride 19 points
Leewards Hurricanes 13 points
USA 12 points