COOLIDGE, Antigua – 12 February 2008 – On the surface it may look as though there is not that much of a difference to the Super Eight in the Stanford 20/20 Tournament now and back in 2006. But that is only on the surface.After twelve matches, a dozen teams have been sent packing and we are now down to the last eight who will do battle for four semi final spots.
The final eight teams in the second edition of the tournament are the same eight as in 2006. However they are placed differently. There is a broader spread of the so called ‘favourite teams’ in reigning champion Guyana, losing finalist Trinidad and Tobago and regional powerhouses Jamaica and Barbados.
In 2006, Guyana ousted Jamaica in the fight for one semi final position while Grenada beat St Vincent and the Grenadines to meet Guyana. Also in 2006, Trinidad beat Barbados in the quarter final and went on to face Nevis who beat Antigua and Barbuda.
Now in 2008, Guyana will have to get past Antigua and Barbuda in a game that is already sold out on Sunday February 17th. With tens of thousands of Guyanese settled in Antigua it is likely to seem as though there will be no clear cut home team advantage. The Guyanese wrecked the Bermudian batting in their opening game but their batting looked tentative and hesitant, especially against the quality left arm spin of Dwayne Leverock.
With the spin duo of Anthony Martin and Justin Athanaze operating for the Antigua and Barbuda Pro Team the Guyanese batsmen may well struggle to put runs on the board. Underestimating a champion team though is a dangerous approach and there can be no doubt that Antigua will start as underdogs against the Guyanese. Many locals though are very impressed with the Antiguan blow out of the United States Virgin Islands and feel that since Antigua was the first Stanford Pro Team that they are capable for cutting down Guyana.
In another quarter final match up Nevis will face the Jamaica. The Jamaicans, minus their glittering star players, including captain Chris Gayle, made light work of minnows Bahamas in their opening encounter. Nevis looked fearless and played with intent and focus against Montserrat. It should make for a keen encounter but 2006 semi finalist Nevis will have to pull out a super human effort to get past Jamaica who have been efficient and well prepared. Bolstered by their returning West Indian players they remain one of the favourites to take home the US$1million top prize.
The winners of these two matches will face each other in the second semi final.
The two spots for the first semi final will go to two of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
On Wednesday Trinidad and Tobago who looked very well drilled and highly professional is expected to take care of business against St Vincent who beat St Maarten in their opening game. Trinidad previously beat St Lucia Pro Team to advance.
Barbados take on Grenada on Friday February 15th. Given that the Barbados batting surprisingly struggled against Dominica, the Grenadians are fancying their chances. Returning West Indies pair, captain Rawl Lewis and opener Devon Smith should strengthen both the batting and bowling departments of an already exciting Grenada outfit. There is expected to be fiery clash between the pugnacious Grenadian opening batsman Andre Fletcher and the explosive Barbadian new ball bowler Tino Best. Best will have left arm spin duo Sulieman Benn and Ryan Hinds to aid him along with the rookie pacer Khalid Springer and captain Dwayne Smith’s medium pace.
While the Barbadian batting let them down against Dominica, they will be nervous against a Grenadian bowling attack that is very capable of exposing any cracks. Nelon Pascal’s pace up front can wreck the top order while spinners Dennis George and Lewis can do damage later on.
Each of the four lesser fancied teams can pull off a surprise victory but most fans will be looking to Antigua to sneak past Guyana while many feel Barbados can go down to the effervescent Grenadians.
Match 14 (Feb 13): Trinidad and Tobago v St Vincent and the Grenadines
Match 15 (Feb 15): Barbados v Grenada
Match 16 (Feb 16): Jamaica v Nevis Pro Team
Match 17 (Feb 17): Guyana v Antigua and Barbuda Pro Team
Semi Final 1 (Feb 22): (T&T v SVG) v (BAR v GRE)
Semi Final 2 (Feb 23): (JA v NEV) v (GY v ANU)
Final – Feb 24.
