Samuels leads Ja to 47-run win

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels scored 52 not out to guide Jamaica to an easy 47-run win over the United States of America (USA) in a Twenty20 match at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, yesterday.

The right-handed Samuels, who is coming off a two-year ban which ended last weekend, got his runs off 61 balls and hit four boundaries as Jamaica scored 145 from their 20 overs. Samuels received good support from Danza Hyatt, who made a quick-fire 48 off 22 balls with four fours and three sixes, and former captain Wavell Hinds also chipped in with 23 from 25 balls after the USA had won the toss and asked Jamaica to take first strike.

In reply, the United States were restricted to 98 for nine in their 20 overs. Samuels bagged two for 13 off his allotted four overs. Hyatt, 2-23, Bevon Brown, 2-8, and Krishmar Santokie, 2-20, were the other wicket-takers for Jamaica. Ashhar Mehdi (28) and Carl Wright (12) were the leading scorers for the USA.

The Jamaicans, who registered a comfortable 132-run win over the USA in a 50-over match on Friday, will face the hosts in their second Twenty20 today at the same venue. The teams are competing in the Pearl's Cricket Festival.