SDC T20 shared after late drama

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

The 2010 Social Development Commission (SDC) National Twenty20 Cricket Championships trophy and the $800,000 cash prize that goes with it will be shared between the two finalists South Stars (Manchester) and Orange Hill (Westmoreland), after a last ball drama in which both teams were deemed to have finished on the identical scores of 106-7 at Alpart Sports Club.

Controversy and confusion reigned in a game which was initially reduced to 14 overs per side after an hour's interruption due to rain.

The game actually began in spectacular fashion when South Stars lost their first wicket off the first legitimate delivery of the game; Ewan Andrews bowling young Oshane Walters for a duck. The Manchester team eventually reached 11-1 after three overs when rain brought the proceedings to a halt.

Dramatic changes

It was then changed to a thirteen overs affair and though finishing on 105-7, the umpires ruled later that the Duckworth/Lewis calculation had changed the target to 107.

However, after Orange Hill looked poised at 60 without loss after five overs, there would be dramatic changes.

Things took a downward turn as the Westmoreland team seemed unsure of how to get the final runs and the game swung with each passing ball for the last four overs. Only four runs were needed off the final over bowled by Terrence Dixon, with Orange Hill poised at 103-6.

However, Dixon who had gone for 24 runs in his first over when Jason Thompson clubbed him for a four and three sixes on his way to a whirlwind 43 runs, bowled brilliantly as Orange Hill caved in under pressure. At this point, three runs were needed off the final ball bowled to Melbourne Clarke.

However, Clarke tucked him behind square-leg and after completing two runs, the umpire Dewith Coleman appeared to have signalled one short. South Stars felt they had won, Orange Hill felt they had tied the game.

Eventually, it was confirmed the game had actually tied, leaving both teams to to settle with one hand each on the trophy.