The explosive pairing of former West Indies Under-19 captain Kimani Melius and tournament-leading batter Jard Goodman handed Gros Islet victory in the Super 50 Men’s Tournament finale on Saturday at Mindoo Phillip Park. The men from the north defeated South Castries by six wickets in a day-night thriller.
South Castries captain Johnson Charles won the toss and elected to bat first, posting an impressive tally of 289-8, just 11 runs shy of the 299-4 they put up against Mon Repos at Wenn Playing Field during the preliminary round of play.
Tonius Simon anchored the innings with an unbeaten 101, striking 10 fours and two sixes. At the other end, Royce Paul provided support with 72 runs in a partnership of 119. Opener Ephron Charles was the only other significant contributor. He scored 45.
For Gros Islet, tournament-leading bowler Isaiah Jones took 2-39, Tyrel Chicot grabbed 2-40, and Tarrique Edward claimed 2-57 on his birthday. Darvin Forde and Lee John took one wicket apiece in a democratic bowling effort.
If any team could have chased down that total, it would have been Gros Islet, with earlier scores of 323-8 and 273 all out, the latter score against their finals opponents at MPP.
In the event, Gros Islet reached their target in just 29.5 overs, finishing on 290-4. Captain Melius led the chase with an unbeaten 127 from 76 deliveries, hitting five fours and 12 sixes as he raced to the competition’s highest individual score.
Goodman continued his brilliant form, compiling 82 from 62 balls with six fours and seven sixes. Alongside Windward Islands wicketkeeper Noelle Leo, he put on 75 for the first wicket in just 6.3 overs, before Leo fell for 38 off just 21 balls.
Melius joined Goodman to take their team within sight of victory, as they put on 151 runs in only 87 balls. Melius contributed 83. Khan Elcock added 11, and Dominic Auguste six. With 13 runs needed off the 30th over, Melius farmed the strike and took his team home.
Simeon Gerson was the primary wicket-taker for South Castries, with 3-60. But Gros Islet maintained control to secure the championship, adding to their two-day crown.
Goodman concluded the competition as the leading run-scorer, finishing with 363 runs across the tournament, ahead of Ephron Charles on 305. Isaiah Jones finished with 15 wickets, narrowly ahead of teammate Tarrique Edward on 14.
The article Gros Islet reign as Super 50 champs is from St. Lucia Times.