Settlers and Guardians Start Strong in 2023/24 BIM 10 Cricket Tournament

Last year’s two finalists Settlers and Guardians opened their account with straightforward wins as the 2023/24 BIM 10 (T10) cricket tournament bowled off at the Desmond Haynes Oval.

Playing the second game of Wednesday’s double-header, defending champions Settlers comfortably defeated Voyagers by 22 runs after racking up 113 for 5 and restricting their opponents to 91 for 3 off their 10 overs.

Settlers received an early jolt after winning the toss and choosing to bat, losing Kadeem Alleyne in the first over, only for belligerent cameos from Kevin Wickham who took 11 balls over 23 and Marlon Welcome-Goodman (20) to lead a recovery.

But it was all-rounder Shakkae Marshall, who provided the main impetus in the second half of the innings, with the right-handed batsman smiting four sixes and a pair of fours off 17 balls before being dismissed for 41 with one over remaining.

Pacer Dario Cumberbatch then rocked the Voyagers’ response, snapping up three wickets with a new ball burst and was on the verge of a hat-trick when captain, Dwayne Smith (37 not out) joined opener Akeem Springer (40 not out) at the wicket.

The experienced duo saw the innings through to the end, but at no stage threatened to overtake the target as the asking rate continued to climb.

Cumberbatch (3-10) was the only wickettaker, but Marshall who conceded a measly 10 runs from two overs was adjudged Player-ofthe-Match.

Meanwhile, Guardians easily dismissed the challenge of Warriors by six wickets in the opening encounter.

Opening bat Ryshon Williams missed a half century by two runs as he piloted Guardians to 100 for 4 from 8.5 overs, in reply to Warriors’ 99 for 7 off 10.

With one run required for victory, Williams on 47, took the strike but could only nudge a single to square leg as the win was achieved with seven balls to spare.

Earlier, the Warriors were kept in check by steady bowling from Guardians’ bowlers as pacers Garry Austin (2-14) and Jayden Roberts (2-24), along with off-spinner Tajh Tavernier (2-24), shared six wickets.

Marradon Bend struck two fours and two sixes in a topscore of 24 for the losers.

Williams smacked half a dozen “maximums” in his unbeaten knock and added 37 in three overs with Kyle Corbin (25) after Guardians, the 2023 runners-up, had slipped to 22 for 3 in the third over.

Corbin struck three sixes and a four in his 10-ball stay at the crease before Tavernier completed a good all-round game to finish 15 not out from an unbroken fifth wicket stand worth 41, that came off just 19 deliveries.