TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Despite losing to the Windward Islands Infernos on Wednesday, the Leeward Islands Thunder claimed the final playoff spot in the West Indies Breakout League, edging the Barbados Pelicans by net run rate.
The Infernos, who had already secured a playoff berth, ended the preliminary round with a 37-run win over the Thunder at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
It left the Thunder and the Pelicans tied on 20 points with identical 5-3 records, but the former advanced with a superior net run rate.
With table toppers Trinidad and Tobago Legions earning an automatic spot into Saturday’s final, the Infernos and Thunder will meet again on Friday in the Eliminator with a place in the final at stake.
Having been sent into bat, the Infernos finished strongly, reaching 158 for eight from their 20 overs.
Ryan John scored an unbeaten 33 from 20 balls and was the main reason the Infernos blasted 45 runs from the last four overs.
Medium pacer Elroy Francis (3-16) made early inroads into the Infernos’ batting, snaring the wickets of Teddy Bishop (2) and captain Alick Athanaze (17) to leave them 37 for two.
Last game hero Johann Jeremiah made 30, and Dillon Douglas made 21, as several Infernos batters got starts but failed to push on.
Leg spinner Micah McKenzie then grabbed three wickets to reduce his opponents to 104 for six in the 14th over before John’s late push helped the Infernos post a competitive total.
Francis ended with 3-16, and McKenzie took 3-23 for the Thunder.
The Thunder never recovered from seven for two after losing Kofi James and Jewel Andrew in the space of three balls.
Opener Jamie Cornelius scored 38 from 41 balls, and Anderson Mahase finished unbeaten on 28 from 26. Still, there was little other resistance, with only Cameron Pennyfeather (14 not out) and Karima Gore (10) making it into double digits.
Avinash Mahabirsingh was the Infernos’ best bowler, taking 2-18.
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