J'cans exhale after tense T20 opening win against CCC

BY SANJAY MYERS Observer staff reporter

Thursday, January 12, 2012

JAMAICA'S vice-captain Nikita Miller was relieved after escaping with a two-wicket win over Group B rivals Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in the Caribbean Twenty20 (CT20) tournament on Tuesday evening at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Miller, who was at the non-striker's end when middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels carved the CCC's Herman Henry for six with three balls to spare to win the match, said his team was happy to enjoy "some luck".

"At one point we were a bit worried with the way the batters approached the run chase, but in the end we had one batter from the top four who kept us in the game, and with some luck we won in the end. We are very happy for that," he told the Observer yesterday.

The CCC, after choosing to bat, mustered 131 for nine off their allotted 20 overs, thanks to 62 from Jamaican wicketkeeper/batsman Chadwick Walton and 32 from the Barbadian Kyle Hope.

For Jamaica, Krishmar Santokie picked up 4-17 off four overs and Miller chipped in with 3-32 with his left-arm orthodox spin.

Jamaica responded with 133 for eight against tight and discpilned bowling from the CCC team.

Samuels, who batted at number three, struggled to get the ball in the gaps in the early exchanges as his teammates went cheaply at the other end.

Though dropped in the 19th over, the usually stylish Samuels went berserk against the CCC bowlers in the latter stages of the match to finish unbeaten on 66, including five towering sixes and two fours.

Miller noted that other teams have had trouble reducing the number of balls that they fail to score off, but said Jamaica have to find a way to improve in that area.

"I think we need to show more positive intent when batting so as to limit the number of dot balls. I find it has been the trend with other teams, so it's perhaps a wider problem. We have to find a way to stop it," said the 29-year-old.

Jamaica will next face invited English team Sussex this afternoon, also in Antigua.