Simmons powers Guyana to victory

Opener Lendl Simmons scored an unbeaten 67 off just 44 balls to guide Guyana Amazon Warriors to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Jamaica Tallawahs at the Providence Stadium. The win was Guyana's second in as many games, and took them to the top of the table ahead of the Barbados Tridents on net run-rate.

Simmons, the Man of the Match, struck five fours and four sixes, and put up an unbeaten 60-run stand for the third wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan, to chase down a modest 118 inside 15 overs.

Jamaica, put in to bat, got off to a slow start as Ahmed Shehzad was caught at long-off by Chris Barnwell off seamer Krishmar Santokie off the last ball of the fourth over, and off the very next delivery, Chris Gayle fell short of his crease trying to sneak an unlikely second run.

James Franklin had an expensive night and conceded 38 runs in his four overs, but all other bowlers were economical, and bowled out Jamaica for just 117. Santokie stood out with figures of 3 for 20, including the wicket of Carlton Baugh, who top scored for the visitors with 32.

Guyana, needing less than six an over, were comfortable throughout the run-chase as Simmons and Martin Guptill added 48 for the opening wicket. Muttiah Muralitharan dismissed Guptill and Mohammad Hafeez in quick succession, but Sarwan, coming in at No. 4, steadied the innings with a 19-ball 24 to take Guyana home with 33 balls remaining.