Port of Spain, Trinidad – In a match drenched with tension and sprinkled with redemption, the Barbados Pride dismantled the defending champions Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in a scintillating display of dominance at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Wednesday.
The emphatic 153-run triumph not only catapulted the Pride into the finals of the Regional Super50 but also served as sweet revenge against the team that crushed them in the preliminary stages.
Barbados Pride’s commanding performance was anchored by their scintillating top-order batsmen, who orchestrated a batting masterclass. Zachary McCaskie (94), Leniko Boucher (69), and skipper Raymon Reifer (65) all notched half-centuries to propel their team to an imposing 339 for 7—the tournament’s highest total thus far.
The Pride’s innings began with a steady build-up, but McCaskie soon ignited fireworks, particularly at the expense of former West Indies speedster Shannon Gabriel, whom he dispatched for a flurry of boundaries. Partnered with Boucher, McCaskie compiled a spectacular 142-run opening stand, the largest of the competition to date.
McCaskie’s assault reached fever pitch when he hammered legspinner Isaiah Rajah for three colossal sixes in a single over. However, his ambitions of a century were thwarted when he holed out to long-off for a sublime 94 off 82 balls, featuring six fours and six sixes.
Middle-order contributions cement dominance
Reifer, with his calm composure, teamed up with Boucher to maintain the momentum, adding a brisk 50-run partnership. Boucher’s assured knock of 69, highlighted by seven crisp boundaries, ended with a stumping off Mark Deyal, who emerged as the Red Force’s standout bowler with impressive figures of 4-53.
Late-order cameos from Roston Chase (43), Nyeem Young, and Dominic Drakes provided the final flourish, carrying the Pride past the coveted 300-run mark and firmly establishing them as favorites.
Facing a mammoth chase, the Red Force’s reply began promisingly, with Tion Webster and Amir Jangoo stabilizing the innings after an early loss. Their 68-run partnership saw them cruise to 83 for one, seemingly setting the foundation for a competitive effort.
However, a dramatic collapse followed. Left-arm spinner Matthew Jones removed Jangoo for 19, triggering a cascade of wickets. Webster, the lone bright spot, crafted a valiant 56 off 47 balls but fell to Chase, whose all-around brilliance further derailed the Red Force.
The defending champions crumbled spectacularly, losing five wickets for just 42 runs in 11 overs. By the time the tailenders were left to salvage the innings, the outcome was inevitable. Dominic Drakes, relentless with the ball, dismantled the lower order, finishing with figures of 3-24, while Chase and Kemar Smith contributed two wickets apiece.
The Pride’s victory marked a triumphant return to form after their semi-final exit in last year’s tournament and their preliminary-stage defeat at the hands of the Red Force. Now, with confidence soaring and the entire region watching, Barbados Pride advances to the finals, poised to etch their name into cricketing history once again.
