Jameel Stuart hit a brilliant half-century to lead Wanderers Juniors to a convincing six-wicket victory over Carlton Juniors in the final of the inaugural Gibson/Wallace Under-18 Twenty20 Cricket Festival at the Desmond Haynes Oval yesterday.
Stuart smashed a belligerent undefeated 68 in a Man-of-the-Match performance as Wanderers chased down the 151 for five scored by Carlton in a match reduced to 15 overs a side because of fading light.
Stuart’s knock steered Wanderers to 152 for four off 13 overs to win with two overs to spare.
The ebullient left-handed all-rounder hammered six sixes and three fours, scoring his runs off just 30 balls.
He was the architect of his side’s reply from the time opener Tevyn Walcott was dismissed cheaply with the score on 16.
Stuart and Shane Proverbs (28 off 23 balls) shook off the poor start with a second-wicket partnership of 62.
Off-spinner Dario Boyce (three for 34) kept his side in contention by removing Proverbs, Zachary McCaskie (10) and Matthew Greaves (9) but John-Ross Brathwaite (15 not out) helped Stuart add an unconquered 41 for the fifth wicket.
“It was extremely tough on our boys,” elated Wanderers coach Ricky Clarke said after the match.
“It was one of those tournaments which put a lot of pressure on the guys to be able to get in two games within a very short space of time.
“We were in the field for our first game and then we had to immediately go back out for the final. That threw us off a lot.
“We had no time to put in place any strategy and they got off to a very blistering start as a result. It did put us on the backfoot, but our boys kept pushing on and in the end the last eight overs were the best for us for the day.”
Carlton openers Dario Boyce and Adrian Connell had set the stage for an imposing total with a stand of 86.
Boyce topscored with 46, including six boundaries, off 30 balls.
Connell hit a six and five fours in scoring 42 off 24 deliveries. Matthew Jones provided an effective finishing job at the end of the innings with an unbeaten 22 off 11 balls, counting a six and a four.
Matthew Greaves was the most successful bowler with two for 17 off three overs.
Carlton qualified for the final after defeating Gee Spot Tigers while Wanderers overcame Foundation.
