USA Cricket: Vibes ropes in Shawn Findlay of West Indies. Pulls off major ambush in Georgia Supreme Cricket League.

USA Cricket: Vibes ropes in Shawn Findlay of West Indies. Pulls off major ambush in Georgia Supreme Cricket League.
by DreamCricket USA
Nov 05, 2008

Murray's 133 n.o. and Findlay's 45 help Vibes lasso Tropical to win title on October 5th.

Vibes Sports Club with hired guns Shawn Findlay and Camelius Alexander firing on all cylinders, and an impeccable all-round performance from former West Indies player Junior Murray behind the stumps and a superb hundred from the bat - pulled off a stunning victory when they ambushed Tropical Sports Club in a shootout in the finals of the Georgia Supreme Cricket League 2008 Championship. In the much hyped and highly anticipated game, fans were treated to some spectacular performances led by Murray and Findlay of Vibes and Jermaine Lindo, David Hoilett and Richard Hoilett for Tropical.

Scores:

Tropical 241 for 9; Jermaine Lindo 74, Richard Hoilett 57, David Hoilett 33, Camelius Alexander 3 for 25.
Vibes 245 for 3; Junior Muray 133 n.o., Shawn Findlay 45, J Slolombe 2 for 29

The battleground was in immaculate conditions showcasing well manicured lightning fast outfield. With the boundary areas lined with tents, spectators and vendors, reggae and soca music blaring in the background, the carnival atmosphere and scenery for calypso cricket was set. Cricket fans were not disappointed.

Tropical got off to a slow start after winning the toss and electing to take first strike. Lindo and Johnson batted cautiously and took the score to 54 before Johnson was out, caught behind by Murray off the bowling of Hutson. This brought the in-form David Hoilett to the crease and what an entertaining inning he played.

A vicious square drive forward of point, a delicate off drive backward of point this time, followed by a glorious cover drive all for four brought out shouts of "Good shot boy" from spectators moving to the boundary line as they clapped and cheered.

Lindo joined the fray as he produced a powerful straight drive for four bringing up his 50 and Tropical got 99 for 1 after fifteen overs.

Trying not to let the game get away, Hutson truned to the hired gunslinger, leg-spinner Alexander, and journey man Bynoe. The move paid immediate dividend as Bynoe bowled Hoilett, and Alexander kept the run rate in check. Richard Hoilett then tried to pick up the pace, and two vicious pulls travelled the distance for six. Lindo also went the distance with a couple. But when on 84 he swiped across the line to one from Bynoe and was bowled. Wickets then fell at regular intervals as the score crept along slowly toward 200. The Tropical slog men were pinned down by the pin point accuracy and guile of Alexander and Murray who took off the gloves to fire in a few overs. Together they restricted Tropical to a challenging score of 241 for 9.

A focused and determined Murray opened the Vibes inning with an equally determined James. They batted with straight bats, and were not really troubled by the opening bowlers. The score ticked along as Murray kept stroking boundaries with ease off some poor deliveries from Wong and Williams, and then Harris. The old veteran and stingy off-spinner Slocombe joined the attack with Johnson and quickly Vibes was pinned back as Slocombe picked up two wickets. James got too aggressive at one and was caught on the long-on boundary; later Hooper edged one to the keeper, and Vibes was now on 103 for 2, a delicately poised juncture. In walked the current West Indies player Findlay, to join Murray and immediately the match swung in Vibes favor.

Two blazing cover drives for four and a shot out of the ground had the highlight reel going again and the spectators shouting, "Test Shot!" The fervor seemed to inspire Murray, and he too tore into some loose Tropical bowling with pulls and drives to the boundary.

When Findlay was trapped in front by Johnson, Vibes still needed another 53 runs. But Tropical had no other bowling options, and Huston and Murray feasted on some full tosses and long hops to see Vibes home by seven wickets.

Murray had seventeen fours in his knock which won him a well deserved Finals MVP. Slocombe was the pick of the Tropical bowlers with 2 for 29 from 8 overs.

It was indeed sweet redemption for Vibes, having suffered defeat at the hands of Tropical last year's final and both T20 and 45 overs competition finals this year. The MME Championship Trophy was presented to the winners by Barry Bennett, President of MME.