Wellington Oval (St George’s won toss): St George’s beat Cleveland by 171 runs

A comprehensive all-round performance from Nzari Paynter, who was ably assisted by captain Onias Bascome with a top score of 90 from only 57 balls, helped St George’s to a lopsided victory over Cleveland County yesterday.

First, Paynter starred in a second-wicket partnership with Oronde Bascome, which produced 66 runs, before watching his captain brutalise the Cleveland bowling attack. The pair dominated the bowling with some heavy hitting to accelerate the run-rate, with a total in excess of 350 looking possible. They would put on 102 before Paynter was adjudged leg-before to Dion Stovell for 74.

Captain Bascome continued the run flow as he capitalised on the small field to hit eight sixes and four fours before becoming the second of Stovell’s four wickets. On his departure, the rate slowed tremendously but tailender and debutant Abdul Salum had other ideas as he played an entertaining knock of 29 not out to help to carry the total to 306 for nine.

Stovell and Treadwell Gibbons Jr were the pick of the Cleveland bowlers with four wickets apiece for 47 and 78 runs, respectively.

Needing just over six runs an over in reply, Cleveland opened with the two wicket-takers, but the St George’s bowlers held the upper hand from the outset, restricting their opponents to only 25 runs from six overs before capturing the scalp of Gibbons out to a diving catch by Jonté Smith.

At the end of the ten-over powerplay, Cleveland had only 35 runs and would fall into further trouble when Stovell edged to captain Bascome in slips for 29.

Cleveland slumped to 95 for five as recognised batters Steven Bremar Jr and Allan Douglas Jr failed to make effective inroads in their chase. Bremar mistimed a Zeko Burgess slow one and had his bails clipped for 23, while Douglas tried to slice a Burgess seamer and had his off stump pushed back for 13.

This signalled the beginning of the end, as all recognised batters were now back in the pavilion. Only captain Mackih McGowan offered any resistance with a patient 24 not out but he ran out of partners before they were skittled for a mere 135 runs.

Spinner Q’Shai Darrell, playing against his former club, cashed in when the match was all but done — claiming three for eight from 2.4 overs. Paynter claimed two for 22, Burgess two for 30 runs and Shakai Darrell two for 29.

“We put in a lot of work during the preseason and today’s result showed that,” said Onias Bascome. “Nzari gave us a good start which we kept going once he got out. His batting helped to lay the foundation and set the standard for a good total.”