T Becca: Ferguson, Austin set the pace for Kingston CC (21 Jul 1998)

21 July 1998

Ferguson, Austin set the pace for Kingston

Tony Becca

The 1998 Sandals all-island limited-overs cricket competition ended at Kaiser's Sports Club on Sunday with Kingston CC walking away with the title.

After failing at the final hurdle on previous occasions, and after knocking off many-time champions Melbourne in the semi-finals, the "Tigers", thanks to a rollicking start by openers Raymond Ferguson and Nicholas Austin, were simply too good for St. Elizabeth.

In their first appearance in the final, St. Elizabeth failed in the field, and after allowing Kingston to post 264 for six off the allotted 50 overs, were out of it long before their batsmen started the chase.

St. Elizabeth's failures were their inability to consistently bowl a good line and to pressure Kingston Club's batsmen with good field-placings and good fielding.

Fielding is always important. It is, however, even more so in limited-over matches, and St. Elizabeth's fielding was below standard - both on the ground where they muffed two easy runout chances, and in the air where they dropped one easy catch.

Like Kingston, however, they deserved to be in the final, and with young players like Carl Wright, Krishana Edwards, Kerron Baker, Sheldon Gordon, and Paul Patrick, the future looks bright. It should not be too long before they join the list of winners.

As both captain Lloyd Black and coach Roy McLean said after the match, Kingston club's victory was achieved through teamwork.

With Ferguson scoring 46, Austin 55, Mario Ventura 33, Nehemiah Perry 48, Black 33 not out and Valentino Ventura 23, with pacer Dwight Maise and spinners Terrence Corke, Perry, Matthew Fender and Ryan Cunningham all bowling well, there is no question that there was something from everyone who were called upon.

The stars of Kingston, however, were Ferguson and Austin.

In limited-over cricket the start is often important, and Ferguson and Austin handed their team a lovely start on Sunday.

Remembering that Austin had to leave the field at 31 without loss, the lovely start had to do more with the manner in which they batted than the runs they scored together.

Veteran Ferguson hit the ball confidently to suggest that he deserves national recognition - certainly in limited-over contests; and young Austin paraded a good enough defence, some fine drives through the covers and through midwicket, and a confidence in his ability to suggest that once he continues to develop, one-day he will wear the Jamaica cap.

To Kingston, congratulations on a victory well deserved; to St. Elizabeth, better luck next time; and to Kaiser, thanks again for a good pitch for a limited-over contest.

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner (https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)