CRICKET fans in St Mary are in for a treat as the semi-finals of the Sandals/Costley Construction-sponsored St Mary T20 Blast bowl off on Sunday with two mouth-watering clashes at Mango Valley Oval in the parish.

In the opening encounter scheduled for 9:30 am high-riding Buff Bay United, the guest team from Portland, oppose a strong Highgate aggregation that is hell-bent on lifting the title, while in the feature match at 1:30 Gayle and Boscobel resume their perennial rivalry.

The feature match will pit highly fancied Gayle against a resurgent Boscobel aggregation in a match that is worth travelling miles to see. Both teams are evenly matched, with Gayle sporting the likes of national under-19 representative Trevaun Williams, former SDC kingpin Antony Walters, and parish players Javiere Green and Milton Mills.

Where they could have the advantage is with the presence of the St Mary parish bowling trio of Jermaine Chisholm, Jevaughn Hinds, and skipper Sheldon Pryce.

Boscobel has trump cards in top all-rounder Tyrone Daley, who is back from a stint playing league cricket in England, and national under-19 representative Marlon Williams who cracked a century in their last game. They will be backed by former Jamaica youth representatives Andel Gordon, Oshaun Ennis and Javon Nembhard, as well as Richardo Thompson, Kamar Silvera, and Jason Goldson.

The opening match will see a Highgate team bubbling with confidence due to the presence of spin duo Darrien Walker and Gihon Murdock. Also in the Highgate line-up are Javone Wynter and the dangerous Renar Ross.

Buff Bay United, however, will be a tough nut to crack with Portland parish representatives Herman Henry, Robert Weir, Dwayne Hoilett, and Kemar Roper champing at the bit.

“Cricket lovers in the parish of St Mary have been looking forward to seeing these four teams clash all season,” St Mary Cricket Association Second Vice-President Leston Pinnock said. “We are expecting a large turnout of supporters and two very competitive matches. While the parish focus is on youth, the more experienced players have been coming to the party.”

Pinnock also had high praises for sponsors Sandals Resorts and Costley Construction for their continued support of cricket in the parish.

“Without their support year after year we would not have been able to stage competitions continuously,” he said.

Second Vice-President Junior Mattison, who oversees the parish’s technical portfolio, is keen on having a good look at prospective parish representatives as the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup is starting soon.

St Mary Cricket Association Third Vice-President Carlos Francis also lauded the return of perennial sponsors Sandals Resorts and Costley Construction as title sponsors, and urged the players to focus on keeping a high level of discipline.