North Field, National Sports Centre (Smith’s Sixers won toss): Smith’s Sixers beat Hamilton Parish Hurricanes by 16 runs

Onias Bascome helped to put the smash into Bermuda Smash Invitational as the Smith’s Sixers captain led his side to victory over a Hamilton Parish Hurricanes team containing former West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite.

Unlike the low-scoring matinee, which resulted in a seven-wicket victory for Pembroke Panthers over Sandys Spartans, the evening performance of the two eastern franchises brought sustained fireworks of purposeful power-hitting.

Bascome, Smith’s burly, dreadlocked captain, was first to star, revelling in an abrupt dismantling of Michael Agard, the fourth bowler used. In the ninth over, Agard’s second, Bascome slammed three sixes and a four in successive balls, with the over costing 24 runs as Smith’s set about posting an intimidating total.

At the time Bascome was partnering another West Indies player, Raymon Reifer, after the side had lost three wickets, including Okera Bascome (13), Jonté Smith (20) and Macai Simmons (zero).

With Reifer a bit-part player, Bascome dominated a fifth wicket stand of 88, lashing four fours and six sixes in a 44-ball 64 before a thick top edge off Brathwaite found the waiting palms of Alex Dore at backward point. The thirteenth-over dismissal reduced Smith’s to 127 for four.

Reifer (20) was next to go at 144, when Malachi Jones (20) took the moment to accelerate alongside Allan Douglas Jr (17) and Dalin Richardson (two), as the score ended at 180 for nine.

In spite of the damage wrought by Bascome, George O’Brien Jr reminded of his threat, taking three wickets for 31 runs, while Brathwaite and Derrick Brangman took two for 25 and two for 22 respectively.

Even as it appeared a stage was being set for Brathwaite to shine, it was the Hurricanes opening pair of Terryn Fray (35) and Dore who got the reply off to a good start, with the pair putting on an 80-run stand at the top.

Dore showed positive touch and aggression, while Fray supportively grafted as they matched the required run rate.

Fray’s dismissal was followed quickly by Brangman (four) and raised Smith’s morale, which was further heightened when Charles Trott’s (20) 19-ball stay came to a close, bringing in the tournament’s leading attraction.

However, Brathwaite failed to produce, undone by a Malachi Jones seamer as he attempted to guide one down past fine leg, instead top-edging to Shakai Darrell.

Needing 30 from 11 balls the die was truly cast by the dismissal of Dore (73), his dismissal with the score at 155 all but extinguishing hope as the end tamely came with Hurricanes 16 runs short.

Jones proved he has considerable amounts left in the tank, leading the bowling attack with three for 21, while Reifer (one for 28) and Smith (one for 33) assisted.

“I think it was a great game of cricket that showed the public that both teams came to play,” said Clevie Wade, coach of the victorious Smith’s outfit.

“Both teams had good all-round pros, but I felt that our team batted very well. Our target was 200. We ended up with 180, but overall it was a good performance ."

Most praise was reserved for Bascome, whose innings honoured his leadership position.

“The skipper led from the front,” Wade added. “He really showed his class."