Wolmer’s open All-Island T20 title defence against Manchester

IF THE final from last year’s ISSA Super 8 T20 competition is anything to go by, the 2023 edition is set to be another humdinger of an affair as the top eight schools in T20 cricket on the island lock horns, starting today.

Firm favourites and defending champions Wolmers’ Boys’ School will bow into action at 9:30 a.m. against defeated rural area champions Manchester High at St George’s College in a Group Two double header, which also features the hosts against May Day High at 1:30 p.m.

The Jerrain Williams-coached Wolmer’s has set their sights on a hat-trick of titles having won the Grace Shield competition and the urban area T20 trophy this season.

For Williams, the Spalding Cup defeat to rural champions St Elizabeth Technical has woken up his boys, who put a spanking on St Jago High last week to seal the T20 title.

“After the Spalding Cup, we have pretty much turned to T20 mode, and with that, the guys are hungry again after losing a tough one down in St Elizabeth. But it’s cricket, and this tournament is a new one, and it’s another day, and we just have to go out and put our best foot forward,” said Williams.

The Wolmer’s aggregation possesses a wealth of talent, with West Indies under-19 representative Jordan Johnson expected to lead a batting unit that also includes captain Justin Beckford, the Hinds brothers, Corey and Alex, as well as opening wicketkeeper-batsman Jose Northover.

The bowling is expected to be led by the left-arm spin of Alex Hinds with support coming from fellow spinners Matthew Aljoe and Nicholas Holung.

Manchester will hope their captain, Sanjay Walker, can find some form with the bat along with Brian Barnes and opening batsman Matthew Morgan. They will also be banking on pacer Rasheed Harriot to get among the wickets.

Over in Group One, another doubleheader will be on the cards at Chedwin Park as last year’s beaten finalist, St Elizabeth Technical, will take on Excelsior in the opening fixture before St Jago do battle with rural outfit Tacky High.

St Elizabeth has been having the best run so far in this year’s schoolboy cricket competitions, having won all trophies on offer.

Captain Malique Williams is oozing with confidence that his team can seal four trophies this year.

“We surely want to go for all four trophies, and we want to finish the season on a high. Our batting has been coming up big for us this season, but our bowling has also been excellent, and we just have to continue to execute on the day and we will be successful.”

That powerful STETHS batting line-up includes opener Sean Roye along with Williams and Odane Binns, with speedster Gavasta Edmond and Kevoni Graham the main trump cards with the ball for the Clive Ledgister-coached side.

Excelsior will have to be on their ‘A’ game if they are to have any chance against the marauding St Elizabeth side, and they will rely on David Dewar and Jamarie Daley to bring the runs, with national under-19 representative Tamarie Redwood their marquee bowler.