By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
Vikings Julian Bannet receives the most runs scored award with his 533 runs from Karen Ward
Whatever record was available, Julian Bannet grabbed it. Bannet stood in the middle of two century partnerships, and had his third century of the season to fire the Vikings past Cavaliers—denying their fourth straight BVI Cricket Association T20 crown and ninth overall—with record breaking performances.
Bannet, 23, hit the first ball he faced for a six, then went on a 121-run partnership with fellow opener, Rahkumar Seepersaud who was caught for 45, as they found every seam, in response to Cavaliers 306 runs. Bannet then teamed with Captain Deco Khemraj for a record 175 run second wicket stand, before Khemraj was caught for 80. Bannet stood in the wicket and went on to make a season’s best and finals record, 177 not out, to claim most runs scored award, with 533 on the season, sending the Vikings to record chase down, of 309 for 2.
Man of the Match Bannet hit a record 24 of the Vikings’ 38 sixes off 55 balls, to overshadow Cavaliers’ Asvishkar Sewkarran 142 from 56 balls, during a 166-opening partnership with Gavin Hitnarine. Hitnarine went leg before wicket for 85. Sewkerran’s run ended when he was caught by Bannet and finished the season with 294 runs. Hitnarine, who had four half centuries during the season, 289.
Vikings bowlers Vaden Walker bagged 2 for 66 and Johnny Bailey, 1 for 46, bringing his total to 19.
“I 100% thought we could have held them, but the guys came after us and they became victorious at the end,” Cavaliers Captain Sewkarran said. “I never expected that kind of aggression but Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and anything could happen on the day. But this was a special effort by Vikings to overturn the 306 made by us. It was a very good effort from them to do that.”
Khemraj, said Cavaliers played a great game and congratulated his team, which was seeded fourth, on winning their second BVICA T20 title since 2016—also against Cavaliers.
“It’s one of the most exciting matches you could have in a final in the BVI—306 runs in a final and over 600 runs scored—that’s amazing,” he said. “When we were fielding, we still believed in ourselves and told ourselves that we could chase the runs down and we did it. It was a team effort—a really great team effort—it’s lovely.”
Their plan was to score 80-90 runs during the first six overs and they got a better start than that, Khemraj said. “It’s amazing to lift the cup after all these years playing Cavaliers in the 2023 final after winning in 2016 and it’s amazing to come out and be victorious beating a team like them,” he said. “I thank my teammates for putting this package together, qualifying for the playoffs in fourth place, with run rate actually carrying us there. Beating a team like the Royal Knights in the semifinal gave us a big boost. Coming into the final, we stayed as a team. Played as a team and the reward is victory today.”
Bannett, who also won the championship MVP award and had earlier knocks of 102 and 128 runs, said he didn’t feel pressured. “The pressure was already on them, so I just kept it on them,” he said of Cavaliers. “When I lost Seepersaud, I knew I had to stay deep, keep focused and carry the game home.”
In the morning game for third place, Jomel LaFleur’s 56 led seven batsmen in double figures, as Royal Knights beat Police by three wickets, after chasing down their 198 for 4 with 200 for 7.
Jamal Mickle led Police with 97 not out with a supporting 43 from Captain Collis Fraser. Mickle became the fourth player to score more than 300 runs with 313.
BVICA T20 League Awards:
Team Awards: 1st Place, Vikings. 2nd Place, Cavaliers. 3rd Place, Royal Knights.
Most Runs: Julian Bannett, Vikings, 533. Most Wickets: Johnny Bailey, Vikings, 19. Most 4s: Keion DeJesus, Royal Knights, 37. Most 6s: Julian Bannet, Vikings, 68. Most Centuries: Julian Bannet, 3. Most 5 Wickets Haul: Richard Fredericks, Royal Knights and Joel Williams, Falcons, 1 each. Wicket Keeper of The Tournament: Dennisford “Babylon” Brown, Cavaliers. Tournament MVP: Julian Bannet. Finals MVP: Julian Bannet. Outstanding Tournament Performance: Royal Knights’ Kazim Haywood, 220 not out.
