MONG KOK, Hong Kong, CMC – Dwayne Smith smashed a 31-ball hundred as Caribbean stars dominated the headlines on the opening day of the Hong Kong T20 Bitz here yesterday.
The former Barbados and West Indies star belted an unbeaten 121 off 40 balls while Marlon Samuels weighed in with an unbeaten 59, to lead Kowloon Cantons to a handsome eight-wicket victory over City Kaitak in the second match at Mission Road Ground. Two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy shone in the opening game, hitting a fiery unbeaten half-century to help Hung Hom Jaguars get past Galaxy Gladiators Lantau by 45 runs. Former Barbados and West Indies batsman, Dwayne Smith. It was Smith, however, who took centre stage, with an exhilarating innings at the tiny ground.
With his side chasing 200 for victory, he blasted seven fours and 13 sixes as Cantons easily overhauled their target in the 15th over. Smith, who reached his half-century off a mere 16 deliveries and his second fifty off 15 balls, put on 142 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Samuels who counted seven fours and three sixes in his 33-ball innings.
Earlier, Barbados-born England all-rounder Chris Jordan pummeled an unbeaten 75 off 37 deliveries with three fours and seven sixes, to lift City Kaitak up to 199 for six off their 20 overs.
Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran failed to score.
Asked to bat in the first game, Jaguars reached 145 for three in a contest reduced to 11 overs, with Sammy hammering 52 not out off 19 balls with two fours and six sixes. He added 102 in an unbroken fourth wicket stand with New Zealander James Franklin whose unbeaten 58 came from 27 deliveries and included four fours and five sixes. In reply, Galaxy Gladiators were restricted to 118 for eight.
