Dwayne Smith powers West Indies Legends in to Road Safety World Series semifinals!

West Indies Legends edged past England Legends on net runrate to seal their semifinal berth after a 7 wicket win against England in the virtual quarterfinal of Unacademy Road Safety World Series. The Windies Legends secured the win in the chase off the very last ball of the innings adding to the drama!

Earlier West Indies captain Brian Lara won the toss and put England to bat as the openers gave them a brilliant start with openers Kevin Pietersen and Phil Mustard bring up their fifty partnership in 5.1 overs. Both batsmen continued their aggressive approach with captain Lara losing out on options.

It was Dwayne Smith who removed both openers in his first 2 overs  pushing England to 106-2 in 11.4 overs.

Owais Shah who joined England mid way in to the second phase of the tournament struck form with a delightful innings of 53 in 30 balls bringing up his half century off the very last ball of the innings which took England Legends to a challenging total of 186-3 in 20 innings

Chasing 187 runs to enter the semifinals, West Indies found hero in Dwayne Smith again as he put on a 55 run stand in the powerplay with Ridley Jacobs. Jacobs departed the first ball after powerplay to Chris Tremeltt’s ripping yorker which dislodged the off-stump.

Dwayne Smith roared in the next 2 overs smashing  4 fours and 1 six off the next 6 balls he faced and brought up his half century in 30 balls. Smith scored 58 runs in 31 balls with the help  of 9 fours and 2 sixes as West Indies Legends were 87-2 in 8 overs by the time Smith departed.

With the team needing 100 runs to win in 12 overs – Narsingh Deonarine took the initiative to see through the team to a win with a 35 ball half century. Kirk Edwards who walked in to bat at the fall of William Perkins (7), put on a stand of 83 runs for the 4^th wicket before falling for 34 in 26 balls with the team needing 8 runs to win in 8 balls.

Brian Lara joined in Deonarine to take his team to safety but was stumped attempting a winning boundary with Windies Legends needing just 1 run in 1 ball.

The new batsman in Tino Best got verbal with the wicket keeper Phil Mustard and Darren Maddy as the English players tried to pressurize the new man in. Best kept it cool to push the ball on his legs for a quick single as Narsingh Deonarine dived his way to victory at the danger end.

Tino Best erupted in joy in his typical animated style as West Indies Legends camp was all smiles with the team qualifying for the semis. West Indies Legends will face India Legends in the semi-finals on 17^th March.

Match Summary

England Legends 186-3 in 20 overs
Phiil Mustard 57 (41) – 5 fours & 3 sixes
Kevin Pietersen 38(24) – 2 fours & 3 sixes
Owais Shah 53 (30) – 5 fours & 3 sixes
Dwayne Smith 4-0-31-2

West Indies Legends 187-5 in 20 overs
Dwayne Smith 58 (31) – 9 fours & 2 sixes
Narsingh Deonarine 53*(37) – 6 fours
Kirk Edwards 34 (26) – 4 fours & 1 six
James Tredwell 3-0-35-2
Chris Tremlett 4-0-37-2

Man of the Match: Dwayne Smith