US Open T20: Jones (91), Hemraj (87) power Somerset Cavaliers to ‘final four’

By Avenash Ramzan

Somerset Cavaliers stormed into the semi-finals of the US Open T20 tournament with a dominant performance against Punjab Blues on Friday at the Central Broward Regional Park.

Big half-centuries from Aaron Jones and Chandrapaul Hemraj powered Cavaliers to 216-4, before Punjab Blues were kept to 96-5 from their allotted 20 overs, losing by 120 runs. It was the Cavaliers third win from as many games this season.

After the early loss of Kennar Lewis for five, Man-of-the-Match Chandrapaul Hemraj, with scores of 50* and 43 in the tournament, smashed seven sixes and sevens fours in 87 off 39 balls to ignite the innings.

Jones thumped eight sixes and three fours in his 91 off 53 balls as the Punjab Blues bowlers were flayed to all part of the stadium.

Hemraj and Jones added 134 for the second wicket in 10.5 overs, a partnership that effectively stole the contest from the Blues. Sohaib Maqsood chipped in with 25 off 16 with three sixes at the backend of the innings.

Modh Asif picked up 2-23 for Blues, whose innings never got going.

Guyanese left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie picked up 2-8 off four overs and Asad Ghous 2-17. Gurinder Saini and Iknoor Singh made 24 and 21 respectively for Punjab Blues.