Big ton for blind cricketer

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

A century knock of 113 not out from Dennol Shim carried Jamaica's Crusaders blind cricketers to a six-wicket win over United Kingdom's Pirates in the first game of their three-match LIME Disability Cricket Twenty20 Series at Mona Hockey Field's astro-turf yesterday.

Shim, who, along with his teammates, will turn his attention to game two today at Melbourne Oval, hit 25 fours and a six on his way to his milestone, which formed the backbone of the Crusaders' match-winning total of 209-4.

The Pirates had earlier made 204-5 off their allotted 20 overs. Gregory Stewart's 50 gave Shim his best support against Ryan Jones, who claimed 3-49.

Earlier, the Pirates' challenging total was made around Jones' 76 not out and Joel Robinson's 50.

Other game

In the day's second game between both team's Mixed-Physically disable teams, the Pirates defeated the Crusaders by two wickets, thanks to 84 from Lee Walker

Walker slammed 10 fours and five sixes in his knock, as the Pirates Mixed-Physical, chasing 193 for victory, made 195-8 off 19 overs.

Stephen McKenzie's 30 was the Pirates Mixed-Physical's second-highest score against the bowling of Benzel Walters, who took 2-29 off his mandatory four overs.

The Crusaders' Mixed-Physical total was built around 50 from Shamar Tingling and 29 from Amani Salmon. Ronnie Jackson, with 3-24, led the way for the Pirates.

"The aim is to use cricket as a means of recognising disabled athletes and giving them a recreational outlet that can lead to national representation and international recognition," said Brian Breese, Jamaica Disability Cricket Association (JADCA) development officer, shortly after the event's opening ceremony yesterday.

"It's also matter of self-empowerment as well, as previously, these athletes were locked away, and now they are out in the open expressing themselves," he added.

The series, which it is hoped, will be an annual reciprocal one, is slated to end on Wednesday at LIME, Chalmers Avenue.

Walsh Foundation lauded

At yesterday's opening ceremony, Christopher Samuda, chairman of the newly formed JADCA, praised the Courtney Walsh Foundation for helping to make the series a reality, and said he was happy with the evolution of JADCA.

"We are upbeat about the formation of JADCA, and I hope that one day we will be able to replicate the tour of the Pirates by travelling to the UK," said Samuda.

The ceremony, which, like the opening set of matches, was originally scheduled to be held at the Sir Frank Worrell Oval, University of the West Indies, was relocated due to an heavy outfield.

Also of note, Billy Haven, vice-chairman of the Courtney Walsh Foundation, made a presentation and veteran journalist, Tony Becca, bowled the first ball.

Said Heaven: "I am happy that the series has come off. It was a lot of planning, and to us a continuation of the work we at the Courtney Walsh Foundation are doing in prisons and the inner-city communities."