Campbell’s half-century lifts United Stars over Risers

What a difference a day makes. That could be the saying of West Indies opening batsman John Campbell as his half-century helped to propel the Middlesex United Stars to a comprehensive 68-run win over the Surrey Risers in their Dream11 Jamaica T10 encounter at Sabina Park on Thursday.

Campbell made a duck against the Surrey Royals on Wednesday but 24 hours later the left-hander blasted the highest score of the tournament so far, 82 from 31 deliveries to lift the Stars to 155 for three.

The United Stars captain showed his true class by blasting six fours and seven towering sixes in the formidable total.

Campbell and another left-hander Alwyn Williams took the game out of the hands of the Risers by putting on 92 runs for the second wicket.

Williams played the perfect supporting role to Campbell, getting 45 runs from 18 balls with four fours and three sixes before he was caught by Delbert Gayle off Warren Campbell.

Captain Campbell eventually fell off the last ball of the Stars' innings when he was also caught by Gayle off West Indies pacer Oshane Thomas, who bagged two wickets for 30 runs from his two overs.

Facing a daunting total, The Risers were pegged back by the loss of early wickets, however, a brisk 36 from 20 balls from Chadwick Walton gave them a glimmer of hope.

When Walton fell in the seventh over at 51 for three, the writing was on the wall as the Risers dragged their way to 87 for six in their 10 overs.

Gayle chipped in with 24 against Michael Thompson, who picked up three wickets for 15 runs.

In the earlier contest, The Surrey Kings defeated the Surrey Royals by eight wickets. Batting first, the Kings totalled 90 for eight off their 10 overs.

Javelle Glenn top-scored with 23, while Peat Salmon chipped in with 20. The Kings, through their captain Jermaine Blackwood, made light work of the run chase, getting to 95 for two off just five overs and a ball.

Blackwood, who also made nought in the teams' first encounter, came back solid to blast 46 from 17 balls to lead the run chase.

The West Indies Test batsman displayed his attacking prowess by slamming five fours and four sixes as he and opener Kennar Lewis put on a quickfire 80 runs off just four overs.

Lewis was left unbeaten on 27 from 14 balls which included four sixes.