SDC Wray & Nephew T20 excites St James communities

An all-around performance from Keromie Austin lit up the community of Dumfries in St James yesterday as he helped Arcadia record a four-wicket win over Cambridge in the first game of the SDC/Wray & Nephew National Community T20 Cricket.

Batting first, Cambridge managed to post 141 all out in 19.4 overs. Patrick Morris batting at number 10 top-scored with 38.

Keromie Austin (3-20) and Carlos Williams (3-39) were the main destroyers with the ball for Arcadia.

In reply, Arcadia got to the target with 10 balls to spare. All-rounder Austin hit back-to-back sixes to finish on an unbeaten 63 and get them to their total of 147 for six. Kemoy Johnson (2-25) and Mario Dennison (2-27) got wickets for Cambridge.

Austin, who was named Man of the Match and received $10,000, said confidence in himself and his teammates did the job for them.

Self-confidence

"It's all about self-confidence. From we went out there, we assessed the pitch, saw the conditions and decided to take a bowl first. We capitalised on it even though we let the batting team got away from us a bit in the middle and last part. We played with our hearts and have confidence in the team," Austin said.

"At first we were a bit concerned with the runs that were on the board but it wasn't a great deal because we know what we are capable of doing. We went out there with confidence and did the job," he added.

When asked about holding his nerve and finishing the game in style with back-to-back sixes, Austin told STAR Sports: "I've been playing cricket all my life so it was easy for me to just go out and play my normal game."

Tony White, manager of the Arcadia team, said he was pleased with his team's epic win and is looking forward to winning the St James leg of the competition to garner even more support.

"That (sixes at the end) was great because everyone knows Arcadia is a team that always come together, have a team plan, and put on a show for the fans," White said.

"Right now we need some support because we come from a community near the border of St Elizabeth and St James and it really cost to travel. Right now, we have to be spending from our pockets and it's not easy. So right now we are targeting winning the competition which would really give us a boost," he added.