Defending champions Guyana clinched a thrilling one-run win over Somerset at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Guyana won the toss and elected to bat, but it was a decision that backfired as none of their batsmen, bar Ramnaresh Sarwan could get going.
The Somerset bowlers lead by Alfonso Thomas, who picked up three wickets, strangled the Guyana batsmen and at 51 for 5 Guyana looked in grave trouble. A 36-run partnership between Sarwan and Royston Crandon inched them towards the 100-run mark. Sarwan fell for 59 and Guyana managed to reach a below-par 112 for 8 off their allotted overs.
However, that total proved enough to thwart Somerset who started their chase in positive fashion. At 105 for 3 in the 18th over, they looked to be cruising to victory. However, as a result of some tight Guyana bowling and sharp fielding, they suffered a spectacular collapse to lose seven wickets for six runs. Two wickets to Esuan Crandon, one to Veerasammy Permaul, who had earlier dismissed opener Peter Trego, four run-outs and it was all over for Somerset as they were bowled out for 111 to hand Guyana their first points of the tournament.
In the second game in Antigua, Combined Colleges and Campuses beat Jamaica by seven wickets. Jamaica, who beat Guyana in their first game, won the toss and elected to bat.
They got off to a sluggish start when Gilford Moore dismissed Xavier Marshall in the third over and were 43 for 2 in their first 10 overs. However, the arrival of No. 3 Marlon Samuels swung the momentum in Jamaica's favour. He was aggressive, taking the attack to the CCC bowlers as he raced to 50 in 44 balls. He clouted 30 runs off the next 10 balls he faced to end unbeaten on 80 off 54 balls which included five fours and five sixes. Wavell Hinds made 21 off 18 balls as Jamaica reached 138 for 4 in their 20 overs.
CCC's chase started poorly as Romel Currency was dismissed in the second over with just five runs on the board. However, Miles Bascombe, William Perkins and Kyle Hope all chipped in with solid thirties as CCC made short work of the Jamaica total. They reached their target in 19 overs for the loss of three wickets to earn their first points in this competition.
