Super50: Heated race on for semi-final spots

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Five teams remain solidly in the running for four semi-final places, with nine matches left in the preliminary round of the Super50 Cup.

In fact, only three points separate second-place Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) from sixth-place West Indies Academy, both teams having played five games apiece.

CCC, who have been hurt by two no-results, have gathered 26 points to be just ahead of Leeward islands Hurricanes (25), with Barbados Pride a further point back in fourth on 24.

Guyana Harpy Eagles lie fifth on 23 points, only ahead of West Indies Academy courtesy of a superior net run rate.

Windward Islands Volcanoes, who won their first match of the tournament on Sunday night when they beat winless title-holders Jamaica Scorpions, are seventh on 16 points.

Scorpions lie bottom on five points with five defeats in as many appearances.

Hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, top the standings with 37 points.

Following Monday’s rest day, today will see two critical 9 a.m. fixtures with huge importance for all four teams involved.

At Queen’s Park Oval, Volcanoes will have the opportunity to climb even further in the standings when they take on Hurricanes, while CCC will look to consolidate their semi-final bid when they face Barbados Pride at the Frank Worrell Memorial Ground at UWI St Augustine.

The semi-finals are scheduled for the Brian Lara Stadium on November 8 and 9, with the final set for November 11 at the same venue.