Vincy Premier T10 League 2020 Highlights: Semifinalists decided

63/9 is the total Dark View Explorers get to in their 10 overs. The Salt Pond Breakers complete proceedings, winning the match by 20 runs. They finish top of the points table. The Dark View Explorers finish 5th and are knocked out.

A run out in the over as well. The Explorers' campaign has gone up in smoke. There would be an exuberant Grenadine Divers team celebrating right now, thanking the Salt Pond Breakers for getting this one over the Explorers. Wesrick Strough to bowl the last over of the league phase. The Explorers need an improbable 24 runs off the over to remain alive in the tournament.

Delorn Johnson vs Deron Greaves to start off the 9th over. The last chance of avoiding a knockout blow for Greaves and the Explorers. And he starts off with a six! 27 needed off 11. The second ball is also smashed in the same area. But this time he is caught in the deep. Greaves has to depart for 17. Delorn wins this contest and that is probably that for the Explorers' campaign.

27 needed off 10 balls.

Ambris comes back to bowl the 8th over. And he picks up another wicket! Andrew Thomas is done for by the turn Ambris gets. The Salt Pond Breakers are all over the Explorers now. Thomas goes for 3 to end that fledgling partnership. Greaves, on 11, is seeing a parade of partners coming and going at the other end.

33 needed in the last 2 overs

A dramatic dismissal! Wesrick Strough comes in to bowl his brand of searing pace for the first time in the match and he proves to be too good for O Jay Mathews. Mathews, shuffling around in his crease too much, is out after the ball strikes his body and then hits the stumps. Mathews goes for 1. Andrew Thomas joins Greaves as the Explorers see their hopes of reaching the knockouts sink deeper. Greaves, on 10 not out, is the hope on which their hopes rest.

37 needed off the last 3 overs

It's time for Sunil Ambris. And he gets the big fish! Lindon James is out! Lbw for 9 runs. Ambris gives Lindon a send-off. And the Explorers find themselves in big trouble with their skipper gone. O Jay Mathews the new man in. Greaves has to take control of this chase for the Explorers to stand a chance of continuing their tournament past the league stage. Greaves ends the over with a boundary, flicked off the pads.

Lindon James slams the first six of the innings. Greaves and Lindon content to deal in singles for the rest of the over. 51 runs off 5 overs needed to win.

Shamon Hooper gets into the act in the fourth over as Javid Harry continues. A big cover drive for four. But Harry comes back well. Straightens his line and drags back the length. Hooper, in two minds, goes for the pull and is caught in the infield. The Explorers have lost both their openers cheaply. Deron Greaves joins Lindon James, with the onus on the two experienced campaigners to shepherd the chase from a difficult situation.

Stapleton bowls the third over. Kody Horne gets a four with a slap down the ground. But he is then out lbw as Stapleton angles one in. Lindon James comes in at No 3 with the score at 17/1.

Javid Harry bowls the 2nd over. Hooper and Horne not taking too many risks in these early stages. Horne finds the boundary with a drive piercing the infield. First boundary in the innings. Runs coming mostly in ones and twos for now.

Kody Horne and Shamon Hooper open the innings for the Explorers. The Explorers change their batting order around for the big match. Lindon James saves himself up for the later part of the chase. Delorn Johnson starts for the Breakers. And he bowls on a short line, leaving the batsmen in no position to play their strokes. Only 2 runs from the over!

84 to win for the Dark View Explorers. If they can get 84, they also go through to the semifinals. Even if they get 83, they go to the semifinals. Anything less than that, it is the Grenadine Divers who go through. These are some tense moments in the Divers setup right now. We saw how furious captain Asif Hooper was with his players when they lost the match in the last ball. 

The same script continues in the last over. Delorn Johnson and Rickford Walker fail to conect with anything as Lindon James bowls accurately. Delorn Johnson manages to connect with one finally. Frees his arms and brings up a big six. And again, the box with the replacement balls need to be brought out. Delorn moves to 14. And he is bowled off the fifth ball. He goes for 14. Rickford Walker stays not out on 9 off 12 balls. Lindon James picks up two wickets in the last two balls.

The Explorers continue strangling the score in the 9th over. Delorn Johnson and Rickford Walker swinging at balls but they are not connecting with much. Delorn Johnson and Walker both on 7 runs each as we head into the last over. Lindon James takes the ball in the last over.

Urnel Thomas is run out! Sealron Williams, who got the wickets of the two openers, comes back to bowl the 8th over and there is another big wicket straightaway. Urnel Thomas is let down by Rickford Walker, who refused to respond to the non-striker's call, and Urnel is out for 4. Delorn Johnson comes out at No 6. What had looked to be a 100+ projected score when Ambris was batting has sudenly become a far more modest one.

Greaves comes back to finish off his overs. And he picks a wicket straightaway. Donwell Hector skies the second ball and Andrew Thomas comes around to complete the catch. Donwell departs for 3, bringing out Rickford Walker to join Urnel. Urnel is content to deal in singles for now. He has finished the innings for his team before, and he wants to be there in the last 2 overs. Greaves bowls an excellent over. Just 2 runs off it. One wicket. And one close call against the new man in. 

Donwell Hector and Urnel Thomas are the new men in for the Salt Pond Breakers. Man of the moment Shamon Hooper bowls the 6th over and the Explorers ramp up the chatter as they see the Salt Pond Breakers feel the pressure for the first time. Hooper beats Urnel's bat with consecutive deliveries. A drop in the scoring aftet those two wickets but Urnel and Donwell can have a go at the bowlers if they can settle in for another over or two.

Ambris is caught in the deep. Shamon Hooper comes up with another splendid catch near the ropes. The little guy has been one of the best fielders in the VPL. Ambris departs for 21 after a bright start. And then Nedd goes as well, outfoxed by the same bowler, Sealron Williams. Nedd goes for 21. The Salt Pond Breakers have lost both their openers in the same over after a bright start.

Kadir Nedd lays into the bowler in the 4th over, probably feeling left behind by the surge in Ambris's scoring. A four and a six against Andrew Thomas to start off the over. Thomas responds by going to a line wide outside off stump, forcing Nedd to chase him. Nedd moves to 18. Ambris on 21.

Shamon Hooper bowls the 3rd over. And his strategy seems to be bowling so wide that the batsmen struggle to reach it. Ambris deals with his strategy by stepping across the line and pulling it over the infield. Ambris moves comfortably into double digits. He moves to 21 with two back to back fours down to long off. Another commanding start to the Salt Pond innings, driven by Ambris.

Deron Greaves bowls the second over. Nedd fails to get him away but Sunil Ambris fares better. Scoops it up over fine leg for four. Both Nedd and Ambris have started off the innings by looking to steal quick singles. One wide ball runs down past the keeper to add 4 runs to the score.

Ambris starts off with a pull for four. Lindon James himself takes the ball in the first over. Captain vs captain to start of the last league match of the VPL. Kadir Nedd also gets away with a four cut away to third man. A dot ball to end the over. A positive start for the Salt Pond Breakers once again.

The Dark View Explorers, with their destiny in their own hands, will bowl first. Sunil Ambris and Kadir Nedd continue to come out as the openers for the Salt Pond Breakers. Lindon James won the toss and decided to bowl first. 

The Divers have shot themselves in the foot with a defeat off the last ball of the match, thus putting their semi hopes in jeopardy. However, they are ahead of the Dark View Explorers on net run rate and should the Salt Pond Breakers win the next and last league match, they will go through as the fourth team. The last match of the day coming up in a few more minutes.

In Braxie Browne's last over, the Divers get some confidence after they dismiss Kimali Williams. And Browne follows it up brilliantly as the Rangers fail to hit a boundary and all, and brings it down to 4 runs to win from 3 balls. After an extra and a single, the new batsman is handed the strike and it's two needed from the last ball. And Joey Welcome wins the match thanks to some fortuitous misfielding as he somehow sneaks a second run after Browne failed to catch the ball at the wicket and lets it go past for an overthrow. What a dramatic end!

McCoy comes back and despite a confident first ball, the second ball goes for a four due to horrible wicketkeeping. Byes. And then he follows it up with a wide. It's falling apart for the Divers here after such a brilliant start. Dember (43*) doubles the pain as he hits a huge six. After a single, Rangers lose a wicket as Abraham is caught by Pierre. 5 runs to win from six balls now.

Kenneth Dember is turning the match on its heel with some explosive batting here. Kevin Abraham is just rotating strike here, and letting his partner do the job just like last over as Dember (37*) hits Browne for a brilliant six straight over his head. Abraham (11*) joins in on the action too, as he just pulls the delivery for a flat six. They just need 17 runs to win now in 12 balls.

Kenneth Dember injected some hope into the Rangers as he finished the sixth over with a huge maximum through long on and moved up to 18*. They now need 46 runs from 24 balls. Can Rangers win this from here, or will Divers book their spot in semis?

Kesrick Williams comes on for the Rangers, and facing Razine Browne on his first ball, he's gone. The bails were absolutely sent flying with an excellent yorker. The Divers' are coming up with an inspired bowling performance. Kevin Abraham's on.

The big Obed McCoy has taken over the ball now to continue Divers' dominance with the ball here, after the last over went for just five runs. A single, a wide, and then he brings Shallow to his knees. And then Samuel drops a sure catch of Shallow and it's lamented by one and all, but the shrieks are changed into shouts of elation, as Shallow (19) plays himself out in the next ball itself. 

Botanic Garden Rangers clearly have their back to the wall now, as they still haven't found their footing properly. The spin has actually troubled them, but Shallow (15*) offers some respite as he hit Hooper for a maximum through extra cover. Dember's on 3*.

Atticus Browne comes on for the departing Shallow and he gets off the mark with a single against Richie Richards. But he falls too as his hit towards the deep-wicket boundary is caught by Samuels. Rangers are down by two now. Kenneth Dember is on for Browne. So far, a brilliant start by the Divers. Can they book the final knockout spot?

Botanic Garden Rangers' openers, Hyron Shallow and Oziko Williams are out to chase the target of 88. Grenadines Divers' Asif Hooper is ready with the ball to start the proceedings here. After an initial two runs, the Rangers make their mark with Shallow (7*) hitting a confident boundary but his partner falls quickly. Hooper bowls Williams (0) out on the last ball of the over.

An eventful over from Kesrick to end the innings. A catch is dropped in the deep off the hat-trick ball. Razine Browne gets off the mark with that four. Then Shem Browne is run out on 29 in an attempt to get back on strike. The Grenadine Divers need to defend 87 in 10 overs to stand a good chance of qualifying for the semis.

Kesrick steams in to bowl the 10th. And Kesrick bowls a slow full toss. Harper misses it and is out lbw. His innings ends on 28. Richie Richards, with his impressive mane, is the man in at No 6. But he is bowled out first ball with a yorker. Kesrick is on a hat-trick.

Roamario Bibby bowls the 9th over. The Rangers are happy to see Shem Browne go off strike with a single. But then Harper connects with one. Finally! Bibby bowls full at him and he steps out and slams it between the fielders at long on and deep midwicket. Harper's luck continues. He then gets a top edge that goes all the way for six. Another misfield allows Harper to run back for two after that. He has had a lot of luck in this innings and has looked severely uncomfortable but he has managed to get some form going as the innings winds down. Shem Browne caps off the over with a huge six. 20 runs in that over. Shem Browne on 29. Harper on 28.

Shem Browne moves into his 20s as the shouts from the Divers dug out reach a crescendo. A lot rides on how much Shem Browne can take the Divers to. Harper, at the other end, is surviving, but just about. He is on 15 off 17 balls. Shem Browne is on 22.

Shem Browne gets one away. Six over deep mid wicket. Follows it up with another nice cut shot cut off at the ropes. Wayne Harper has still not managed to hit one true shot for runs. He has somehow still managed to move to 11. Four singles in that over.

It's not pretty at the moment, but these two middle order batsmen are managing to bring up runs somehow. One goes above the keeper's head for four as Harper gets his first boundary and moves to double digits.

Kimali bowls troubling lines and lengths as the Divers continue in their struggle. Shem Browne continues swinging and he manages to beat the infield with one cut shot off the last ball of the over. Shem Browne moves to 11. Harper's struggle at the other end continues, he moves to 4 off 10 balls.

The Rangers bring on their seam bowling battery. Romario Bibby took the big wicket of Hooper in the last over and now it is the turn of Kimali Williams. Shem Browne has looked solid in his shot selection so far. He moves to 6. Wayne Harper still on 3*, having faced 7 balls.

Asif Harper is adjudged caught behind. He is disappointed - either with the decision or with the hole his team have dug themselves into already in the match - and the Rangers keep pegging away. Shem Browne joins Harper. No batsman has been able to reach double digits so far. Shem Browne starts off with a cut for four.

Hooper, on 8*, continues to marshall the Divers top order but again finds it difficult to build a partnership. The Rangers have picked up a few quick wickets in the early overs, with Kesrick Williams and Kenneth Dembar starting for them. Wayne Harper has joined Hooper at No 4, with Pierre falling for 2 and Alex Samuel falling for a duck, both wickets being picked up by Dembar.

The Botanic Garden Rangers are bowling first as the Grenadine Divers, needing a win today, begin their innings with Romano Pierre and Asif Hooper. Kesrick Williams takes the ball for the first over. 

We now come to the business of deciding who the 4th team in the semifinals will be. Grenadine Divers are the prime contender at the moment, and if they can get a win over Botanic Garden Rangers in the next one, they will have put one foot in it. They are ahead of Dark View Explorers on NRR.

Grenadines Divers: Obed McCoy, Asif Hooper, Shem Browne, Anson Latchman, Tijorn Pope, Romano Pierre, Wayne Harper, Geron Wyllie, Razine Browne, Richie Richards, Shammick Roberts, Braxie Browne, Alex Samuel.

Botanic Gardens Rangers: Kesrick Williams, Hyron Shallow, Romel Currency, Kenneth Dember, Romario Bibby, Atticus Browne, Oziko Williams, Kimali Williams, Kevin Abraham, Nigel Small, Casnel Morris, Joey Welcome, Ray Charles.

Lavia bowls the 4th over, which has turned out to be the penultimate over of the match. The La Soufriere Hikers and Dillon Douglas have other plans though. They are in a hurry to go back and begin their preparations for the semifinal. They do it in one over itself. Douglas hits a ramp shot for four behind the keeper and then a six over extra cover to end the business with 9 balls to spare. Douglas ends on 18* off 6 balls. Camarlo Cain also gave a good display of himself in the limited time he had, ending at 12*.

Dillon Douglas comes in at No 3 and he starts off with a four down to leg side. And he celebrates by doing a little jig in front of the bowler. He brings up another four to cover to end the over. The La Soufriere Hikers are doing this chase in a hurry. 12 runs required off 2 overs

A four runs down to third man as Salvan Browne swings. Salvan Browne is then caught at long off. Browne departs for 12. 20 off 15 balls needed now to win.

The rain has stopped. We are ready for the chase to begin. There may be a recalculation of scores on the cards. The revised target for the La Soufriere Hikers is that they need 42 to win in 5 overs. A direct halving of the target. 

Rain has started at the Arnos Vale ground and the players run off into the safety of the pavilion. Groundsmen run on with the pitch covers. The first rain interruption in the VPL. At the break, the La Soufriere Hikers are 18/0 after 2.1 overs, chasing 82 for the win.

New man Cain continues to look compact and confident in the second over too. Gets one four and keeps the strike rotating. Cain has rapidly moved into double digits. Salvan Browne is being outscored for once.

Salvan Browne, the big hitting opening batsman and wicketkeeper, has a new opening partner today. Rashid Frederick bowls the first over and the left arm spinner gets a big lbw shout against Salvan straight up. New man Camarlo Cain, who would be looking to cement his place in the XI for the semifinal, starts off with a four to long off. Ends the over with a double run down to the vacant mid wicket area.

Chelston Stowe swings and misses. He should just try to give the strike to Scott but the thought of giving the strike over is furthest from Stowe's mind. The tournament is coming to an end for his team and he wants to swing at a few. He manages to connect with one off the fifth ball and finally there is a single. Ronald Scott swings and misses at the last ball as well. The two batsmen go back to the pavilion without looking at each other. A great last over by Rayan Williams. The Hikers need 82 to win.

Ronald Scott sends the ball out of the park. Biggest shot of the day so far! New balls are needed to be brought out. Scott moves to 27* at the end of the 9th over and he will want to get back on strike early in the last over. However, Selrik Caine cannot give it back to him, caught at short fine leg for 1 run. 

Kenson Dalzell comes on to bowl the 9th over and he gets Lavia bowled straightaway with a slower ball. Lavia goes for 20. That ends a big partnership between Lavia and Scott. It has helped the Strikers recover from a shaky start and put them in good stead to end their innings on a high though.

Scott swings as the 8th over starts and that flies over the ropes at long off. Ronald Scott has hit some great form in the business end of this league. Unfortunately for him, his team will not feature in the semifinals. And boundaries are coming in heaps now for the Strikers. 15 runs in the 8th over. Lavia and Scott both on 20, the highest scores in this innings.

Ronald Scott starts off the seventh over with a cut shot for four. When Scott hits them , they stay hit, as we saw yesterday as well. And he follows that up with a swatted shot for four past the bowler. Scott moves to double digits as well. Billingy, Lavia and Scott had been the architects of the Strikers' first win in the VPL yesterday, and today too it is the three of them who are pulling the team. Lavia gives an easy chance but the catch is dropped on the ropes. Lavia moves to 14. Scott on 12. Both batsmen looking to strike the ball hard.

Rayan Williams bowls the 6th over as the Hikers continue with their strategy to bowl their spinners in the Powerplay overs and their seamers after that. And Lavia manages to connect with one lofted shot. Straight over the bowler's head for six. Lavia moves to double digits.  Lavia moves to 13.

Dalzell bowls a line outside the off stump against Billingy. Billingy swings and misses at a few and then is caught at the cover boundary. He goes for 16. Ronald Scott joins Lavia with the Strikers in deep trouble. An excellent over to start off for Kimson Dalzell. Only 4 runs in that over and a lot of frustration for the Strikers.