Alwyn Williams

With big dreams of representing Jamaica and subsequently the West Indies, the Boscobel batsman and century maker added a new title to his resume; Wray & Nephew National Community T20 Cricket champion following the final of the competition held on Sunday, August 21.

Learning the gentleman’s game from his older brother, who was then the cricketer of the family, Alwyn worked hard to hone the skills that would eventually land him a place on the Jamaica Scorpions as an all-rounder.

“My dream is to play for the West Indies, to be one of the better all-rounders that play for Jamaica and the West Indies,” he said following his recent century-making performance at the Port Rhoades Sports Club in St Ann.

“In order to do that, I know I have to score runs and take wickets for Jamaica and do the same for the West Indies whenever I get the chance.”

Now 28, Alwyn made his first-class debut for Jamaica during the 2018/19 Regional Four-Day Competition in February 2019. He explained that his passion for cricket is more than words can say.

“There’s more than enjoyment. I play any cricket, wind ball cricket, tiered ball cricket, no matter the time, no matter the weather, no matter whatever, if it’s cricket I am ready”, he said.

Throughout his cricket career, Williams has won more than five titles with his Boscobel St Mary team but though cricket has taken him to countries across the Caribbean,  winning the National Community T20 Cricket Finals was a special accomplishment.

“I rank this one in my top-five because of my mindset going into the game,” he said.

“I promised my manager, who means so much to me as a cricketer and who has pushed me for most of my life to get this far; I promised him that I would try my best to let him have a touch of the SDC/Wray & Nephew T20 Cricket trophy,” Williams shared.

Making good on his promise, Alwyn won himself the spot prize of $100,000 courtesy of title sponsor Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, after scoring a century that led his team to the title.

At the end of the match, Williams walked away with an additional two $10,000 cash prizes as the Man of the Match and for scoring the most runs.

Wowed by the stunning performance. Pavel Smith, Marketing Manager, J. Wray & Nephew Ltd made the on-the-spot prize announcement.

“This is why Wray & Nephew continues to support community events,” he said.

“Our sponsorship enables a platform that has long given homegrown sportsmen and women an avenue to matriculate and to represent the country globally. We are happy to partner with the Social Development Commission to energize this tournament and add value for players and patrons.”

In his 37-ball innings, the West Indies opener smashed seven fours and six sixes before he was dismissed off the last ball of the innings as United Stars made 155-3. Campbell put on 84 for the second wicket with Alwyn Williams who hit three fours and four sixes in his 18-ball 45.

Oshane Thomas was the best of the bowlers, taking 2-30 from his two overs.

In reply, Surrey Risers could only manage 87-6 as Thompson 3-15 and Tyrone Daley 2-17 combined to tear through the line-up. Only opener Chadwick Walton, who scored 36 and Delbert Gayle (24) managed double figures.

In the second match on the day, Man of the Match Jermaine Blackwood scored 46 and Kennar Lewis 27 as Surrey Kings defeated Surrey Royals by eight wickets.

Batting first, Surrey Royals scored 90-8 from their 10 overs. Javelle Glen, 23, and Pete Salmon, 20, were the leading scorers against the bowling attack led by Andre Dennis 1-12 and Oraine Williams 1-14.

Lewis and Blackwood made light work of the chase, getting to 95-2 from just 5.2 overs.

Everton Oharo 1-8 and Pete Salmon 1-18 were the wicket-takers for the Royals whose attack wilted under the onslaught of Blackwood, whose 46 came from just 17 balls and included five fours and four sixes.

Lewis remained unbeaten after smashing four sixes from the 14 balls he faced.

The Risers found it hard from the start after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Delbert Gayle (27) and Nicholas Lewin (15 not out) were the only batsmen to reach double figures as pacers Ojay Shields (2-9 off two overs) and Andel Gordon (2-13 off two) combined to restrict the Risers to a modest 72-6 off their 10 overs.

Jamaica Scorpions all-rounder Alwyn Williams with 30 not out and Damani Sewell with 15 not out then helped the Stars reach 71-1 in the eighth over before rain ended proceedings with the Stars comfortably 19 runs ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis par score.

West Indies opener John Campbell earlier made 20 for the Stars who now have four wins from eight matches.

After the United Stars won the toss and elected to field, they bowled well to restrict the Titans to 81-8 off their 10 overs.

Sherdon Allen (36) and Oshane Walters (10) were the only Titans batsmen to reach double figures as West Indies U-19 representative Andel Gordon led the United Stars bowling with 3-10 off his two overs.

Dwayne Hamilton also took 2-21 for the United Stars.

The Stars reply never got out of first gear as only Jamaica Scorpions all-rounder Alwyn Williams was able to get to double figures with 16.

At the time the rain came down, the United Stars were teetering at 41-7 off 7 overs. There was no further play as the match was then called off with the Stars 18 runs short of their target via the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The aforementioned Grant produced an excellent spell of bowling, taking 4-9 off his two overs.

After winning the toss and choosing to field first, the Kings were in good form with the ball, holding the United Stars to a modest 82-6 in their 10 overs.

Jamaica Scorpions player, Alwyn Williams, was the only batsman to make a significant contribution for the Stars with 35 against 3-13 off two overs from medium-pacer Oraine Williams and 2-5 off one over from leg-spinner Kenroy Williams.

When it came time for the Kings to chase, McCarthy, batting at number four, was the chief destroyer with his 39 coming off just 12 balls including two fours and four sixes.

Opener Kennar Lewis also contributed 19 as the Kings easily chased their target reaching 83-3 off just 5.3 overs.

Left-arm quick Andel Gordon was the best bowler for the United Stars with 2-21 from his two overs.

The Surrey Kings now have five wins in five games, living up to their tag as favourites.

The day started with the Kings losing to the Middlesex United Stars in a super over.

The United Stars win the toss and elected to field first, restricting the Kings, albeit with a number of changes to their team, to 85-7 off their 10 overs with Kenroy Williams (22) and Xavier Burton (17) being the main scorers.

Tyrone Daley was the pick of the bowlers for the United Stars with 2-14 from his two overs.

Top scores of 38 not out from captain and West Indies opener John Campbell and 21 from Jamaica Scorpions all-rounder Alwyn Williams then allowed the United Stars to match the Kings total reaching 85-6 off 10 overs.

The same pair along with Daley then combined to post 13-1 in the super over before Ojay Shields restricted the Kings pair of Jeavor Royal and Brad Barnes to eight without loss to secure the win.

The Surrey Royals got the better of the Cornwall Warriors in the second match of the day by nine wickets.

The Royals restricted the Warriors to 86-6 off their 10 overs after winning the toss and choosing to field first.

Captain Damian Ebanks (25), Damion Bryce (21 not out) and Kerry Holness (18) were the main contributors for the Warriors against an excellent 2-8 off two overs from Jamaica Scorpions pacer Nicholson Gordon.

The Royals then successfully got to 87-1 off 8.1 overs thanks to 61 not out off 29 balls from wicketkeeper/batsman Romaine Morris.

With the league stage now completed, Wednesday will see the Cornwall Warriors and the Surrey Risers contest the fifth-place playoff, while the third-place playoff will be an all-Middlesex affair with the Titans taking on the United Stars before a champion is crowned on Thursday when the Surrey Royals and the Surrey Kings battle it out.

Leaders of the West Indies Championship after three rounds, Barbados Pride, have roped in fast bowler Miguel Cummins and batsman Jonathan Drakes to replace West Indies ODI vice-captain Shai Hope, who scored a well-played 119 against Guyana in round three, and Shamarh Brooks.

The Leeward Islands Hurricanes currently sit second behind the Pride and have brought in Jahmar Hamilton and Kofi James to replace Hayden Walsh Jr and Keacy Carty.

The Jamaica Scorpions have replaced round three centurion Brandon King and Nkrumah Bonner with Alwyn Williams and Brad Barnes, while the Windward Islands Volcanoes have replaced Sherman Lewis with Ryan John.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force have had to make the most changes with Jyd Goolie, Sharron Lewis, and Terrance Hinds coming in for Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, and Anderson Phillip.

Full squads for Round 4:

Barbados Pride: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Keon Harding, Chaim Holder, Akeem Jordan, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Ramon Simmonds, Jomel Warrican, Camarie Boyce, Justin Greaves, Miguel Cummins, Jonathan Drakes.

Guyana Harpy Eagles: Leon Johnson (Captain), Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Vishaul Singh, Akshaya Persaud, Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Gudakesh Motie, Nial Smith, Demetri Cameron, Antony Adams, Kevin Sinclair, Ronsford Beaton.

Jamaica Scorpions: John Campbell (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Leroy Lugg, Oraine Williams, Aldaine Thomas, Gordon Bryan, Paul Palmer Jr., Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Nicholson Gordon, Derval Green, Patrick Harty, Kirk McKenzie, Alwyn Williams, Brad Barnes.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes: Rahkeem Cornwall (Captain), Devon Thomas, Amir Jangoo, Kieran Powell, Colin Archibald, Terence Warde, Jeremiah Louis, ​ Sheno Berridge, Daniel Doram, Damion Williams, Ross Powell, Kian Pemberton, Jahmar Hamilton, Kofi James

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force: Imran Khan (Captain), Jason Mohammed, Jeremy Solozano, Isaiah Rajah, Khary Pierre, Shannon Gabriel, Darren Bravo, Terrance Hinds, Bryan Charles, Yannic Cariah, Sharron Lewis, Uthman Muhammad, Jyd Goolie, Keagan Simmons, Joshua Da Silva. 

Windward Islands Volcanoes: Kavem Hodge (Captain), Keron Cottoy, Denis Smith, Devon Smith, Ackeem Auguste, Alick Athanaze, Alick Athanaze, Daurius Martin, Desron Maloney, Josh Thomas, Kenneth, Dember, Kimani Melius, Preston McSween, Ryan John, Teddy Bishop, Larry Edward.