BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The in-form Graeme Hick lashed an unbeaten half century and spurred England to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the CLOBI Cup International Masters Twenty20 tournament on Thursday night that booked their spot in the final.
Sent to bat at Kensington Oval, Sri Lanka compiled 167 for nine off their 20 overs and England replied with 168 for five off 19.2 overs to record their second consecutive win in the series, which features ex-international cricketers over 35 years old. England lead the points table with a maximum four points, while Sri Lanka — like West Indies — won one match against two defeats and ended on two points each.
West Indies are at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of (-0.322) and cannot qualify for the final.
South Africa, with one win and one defeat, clash with England in the last preliminary game on Friday night and the outcome will determine England’s opponents in Saturday’s series final for a US$50,000 first prize.
Marvan Atapattu and Ruwan Kalpage each stroked 42 to lead Sri Lanka’s batting Thursday night, while pacer Dominic Cork (2-31) was England’s chief wicket-taker.
Man-of-the-match Hick, who stroked 77 not out in their win over West Indies earlier this week, thumped an unbeaten 66 off just 38 balls with six fours and three sixes to steer England to victory with four balls to spare. Graham Thorpe scored 32 before Hick and Dominic Cork (27 not out) added 82 in 8.3 overs in a match-winning sixth-wicket stand.