TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Barbados Pride and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes will lock horns in the second semi-final of the Super50 Cup here Thursday, with both hoping to turn the page on their disappointing recent form in the knockout stages of the regional premier 50-over tournament.
The Shai Hope-led Pride finished third in the standings on 37 points following the preliminary round, while the Hurricanes led the standings for a while before finishing second on 44 points.
When both teams met during the group stage, Hurricanes came away with a four-wicket victory in a low-scoring contest, but Hope said the results that had gone before were now insignificant.
“We’ve had our ups and downs,” the West Indies one-day captain said ahead of the game at the Brian Lara Stadium.
“We understand that it’s a tournament, and it’s who wins the last game wins the tournament, so we have to put the losses aside and make sure we learn as quickly as we can from those particular losses.”
“We’re upbeat. The main focus was to get to the tournament’s semi-final stage, and then we would have two more games to win the entire thing.
“So the guys are looking forward to this game. We played Leewards already; we have an idea of what they will be throwing at us, and it’s just about being smart on the day and playing our best cricket to get over the line.”
Pride’s campaign has been a topsy-turvy one, winning three games and losing three while suffering one no-result due to rain.
Two defeats came in their three games at the Brian Lara Stadium, and Hope said it was important that Pride adapted to the conditions correctly.
“We played a few games at Brian Lara [Stadium]. I think the conditions there speak for [themselves] now, so we have to adapt our game and planning and ensure we can execute in those conditions,” Hope said.
“We know we have to bat better to win this tournament – there are no two ways. And as long as we bat well and make sure we execute our plans, be clear with our plans, and trust our preparations [we should do well].”
Pride’s last Super50 title came in 2017, and they have reached the final only once since then, in 2018, when they went down to Windward Islands Volcanoes.
Meanwhile, Hurricanes have not succeeded since they shared the title with Pride 13 years ago.
They were heavy favorites after reaching the 2019 final but were utterly outplayed by West Indies Emerging Players.
Under West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph’s leadership, Hurricanes have flourished this season, finishing with four wins, two defeats, and a no-result.
The 26-year-old said his side’s confidence was high ahead of the contest, especially after beating Pride.
“The tournament so far has been good. We made it through to the semi-finals, so it’s been good,” Joseph said.
“We’re feeling confident going into the semi-finals because we have played Barbados in the group stage already and we won that game, so we see what they have to offer and know exactly what is needed.”
They have found a talisman in all-rounder Justin Greaves, the right-hander plundering 328 runs to be one of two players – along with Trinidad and Tobago Red Force captain Darren Bravo (323) – to pass the 300-run mark.
Kieran Powell and Jahmar Hamilton have also been among the runs with two half-centuries. Still, Hurricanes’ bowling has also been potent, led by leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr with 16 wickets and left-arm spinner Daniel Doram (13).
“I think our strength is that we have a well-balanced team, and we’re not relying on one individual to pull the team out of trouble,” Joseph explained.
“I think everyone has been playing their roles pretty well.” The match bowls off at 1 pm.
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