Samuels' century in vain against rampaging warriors

Basseterre (St. Kitts), Aug 8 (IANS/CMC) West Indies middle order batsman Marlon Samuels has smashed a blistering century but his aggressive innings was in vain as Antigua Hawbills went under again to Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) here.

Warriors defeated Hawkbills Thursday night by 19 runs at Warner Park to register their fifth straight win but Samuels' 52-ball 106 not out was the highlight of the match, reports CMC.

The overs ran out with Hawkbills 193 for three after the warriors posted an intimidating 212 for five in their 20 overs.

Warrior suffered an early setback after losing opener Lendl Simmons for a duck and Mohammad Hafeez cheaply.

But their innings was rescued by a quickfire 114-run third-wicket partnership between Martin Guptill (90) and Denesh Ramdin (51) off 59 balls.

Ramdin and Guptill were dismissed at quick intervals but warriors benefited from some valuable late-hitting by Christopher Barnwell who scored 37.

The Hawksbills also suffered a heavy setback at the start of their innings, tottering at 32 for three.

But Orlando Peters who scored 67 not out and Samuels shouldered the burden by adding 161 runs from 86 balls, the highest partnership in T20 matches played in the Caribbean.

Samuels dominated the partnership which featured 11 boundaries and 13 sixes.

Despite the efforts of Peters and Samuels, the Hawksbills still needed 42 runs off the last over.

The Hawksbills have slipped to their eighth consecutive defeat of the tournament while the Amazon Warriors are in contention for a spot in the knockouts, with 10 points to occupy the third position behind Red Steel and the Jamaica Tawallahs.

Brief scores:

Guyana Amazon Warriors 212 for five off 20 overs (Martin Guptill 90, Denesh Ramdin 51, Chris Barnwell 37, Gavin Tonge 2/46)

Antigua Hawkbills 193 for three off 20 overs (Marlon Samuels 106 not out, Orlando Peters 67 not out, Navin Stewart 1/25, Veerasammy Permaul 1/34, Krishmar Santokie 1/45).

--IANS/CMC

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