Titans open T10 campaign with a win over Risers

Middlesex Titans began their Dream XI Jamaica Ten10 (T10) campaign on a winning note as they carved out a six-wicket win over Surrey Risers in the first game of a double-header at Sabina Park yesterday.

Left-arm spinner Christopher Lamont was the main destroyer for Titans as he bowled with guile to pick up four wickets for just three runs, restricting Risers to 68 for eight in their allotted 10 overs. Titans then got to 69 for four in 8.3 overs.

The day, however, belonged to Lamont, who mesmerised Risers' batsmen, as the left-arm spinner knocked over the stumps of opener Mark Campbell, who made five and Jameel Bryan for a duck.

He then trapped Lionel Morant in front for one before having Risers' captain Ramaal Lewis caught for one.

Herman Henry with an unbeaten 17 from 19 balls, rescued Risers' innings from total embarrassment, while wicketkeeper Daniel Beckford chipped in with 14 before he was bowled by Krishmar Santokie.

In reply, Titans lost opener Wayne Davis and Anthony Brown early at seven for two in the second over and then lost another two wickets with the score on 35 in the fifth over.

National all-rounder Jamie Merchant, with an unbeaten 29, virtually sealed the win for Titans, with Renaldo Ingram chipping in with 21.

For Player of the Match Lamont, the win was more important than his milestone.

"I am glad that I was able to give my team a start as I put the ball in the right areas to get the result," Lamont said.

In the second game, West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell put in a Man-of-the-Match performance to lift Surrey Kings to their second win of the tournament, following an easy eight-wicket win over Cornwall Warriors.

Warriors were first restricted to 59 for eight, with Russell picking up two wickets for 16 runs and Antwin Stephens two for 16.

Russell returned with the bat and hit an unbeaten 20 from nine balls to see Kings over the line at 62 for two in 5.4 overs. Opener Kirk McKenzie made 25.