Wellington Oval (St George’s won toss): St George’s beat Willow Cuts by 183 runs

Nzari Paynter achieved a maiden hat-trick on the way to career-best figures that catapulted leaders and two-times defending champions St George’s to a landslide victory over Willow Cuts in the Athene T20 Premier Division yesterday.

The second change bowler took seven for nine off just 3.1 overs with his off spin as Cuts were dismissed for a paltry 64 in 15.1 overs in reply to their hosts daunting total of 247 for nine.

“It felt good to achieve my best performance with the ball,” Paynter told The Royal Gazette. “The ball was coming on nicely and I just feel blessed to be able to take all the wickets and get the win for my team.”

The sensational spell exceeded Paynter’s expectations.

“You always want to do well but I didn’t really expect to take that many wickets and I am grateful that I did,” Paynter added. “The guys held on to their catches, there were not any missed opportunities.

“Those wickets also reflect on my team; they had to make the stumpings and take the catches so big thanks to them as well.”

Paynter was also delighted to secure a maiden hat-trick after claiming the last three Willows Cuts wickets, including Jayden Spencer and Sher-Maur Gomes among them, to clinch St George’s emphatic win in front of their own fans.

“I have been on a few hat-tricks before but haven’t been lucky enough to get them all so I am just grateful that I took the opportunity when it came,” the 23-year-old said.

Shakai Darrell, Jonté Smith and Macai Simmons claimed the remaining wickets to fall while wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith had a superb outing with the gloves as he had three stumpings and a catch.

Captain Antonio Darrell (32) and wicketkeeper Shaquille Bean (12) were the only Cuts batters in double figures.

The visitors were in a spot of bother at 43 for three but the worst was yet to come as their remaining seven wickets fell for 21 runs in six overs as Paynter ran through the order like a hot knife slicing through butter.

The player’s excellent bowling capped a superb all-round display having earlier hammered two sixes and five fours in a whirlwind knock of 40 from just 18 balls and along with Jonté Smith added 54 for the fifth wicket as the hosts ruthlessly exploited the poor bowling on offer.

“I surprised myself and hit a few boundaries,” Paynter added. “The guys that started off gave us such a solid foundation that I went in with no pressure and I was just able to play my natural game.

“The ball was definitely coming on nicely.”

St George’s captain Onias Bascome led the hosts batting with 48 from 27 balls that included two sixes and seven fours.

Charles Trott was also among the runs as he thumped four sixes and three fours in an equally brisk innings of 42 from 27 balls and added 65 for the third wicket with captain Bascome which laid the foundation for the hosts big total.

Simmons (27), Burgess (26), Jonté Smith (23) and wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith (17) were among the other batters making starts at the crease.

Captain Darrell (three for 47) and Herbie Bascome (three for 37) were the pick of the Cuts attack that paid a heavy price for some loose bowling.

Unbeaten St George’s top the standings at the midway stage of the T20 campaign to remain on course for a three-peat of league titles.

“We are undefeated but we don’t want to rest on our laurels,” Paynter said. “We want to keep doing the things that got us into this position to take us further and hopefully be undefeated this season as well as last.”