Overton takes three as Gulf Giants thump Sharjah Warriors in ILT20 opener

SHARJAH: Jamie Overton-led bowling attack steered Gulf Giants to start their campaign with a 31-run victory over Sharjah Warriors in the International League (ILT20) opener on Friday.

Put into bat first, the Giants posted 198/7 in the allotted 20 overs at the back of a strong provided by their openers Jamie Smith and James Vince.

Smith and Vince straightaway went after the Warriors bowlers and put together a 61-run partnership inside the powerplay.

Maheesh Theekshana provided a much-needed breakthrough to the Warriors by cleaning up Smith in the sixth over.

Smith smashed three boundaries and four sixes on his way to an 18-ball 42.

Jordan Cox then joined skipper Vince at the crease and the pair comfortably took the Giants past the 100-run mark.

The English duo added 53 runs for the second wicket before Vince fell victim to Theekshana just five runs away from his half-century.

He top-scored for the Giants with a 35-ball 45, laced up with three boundaries and two sixes.

The Giants further slipped to 114/3 when Shimron Hetmyer perished for a golden duck, also falling victim to Theekshana.

Meanwhile, Cox then joined forces with Usman Khan for a brief 24-run stand for the fourth wicket. He scored a brisk 32 in 22 balls, hitting two boundaries and as many sixes.

Usman lasted till the 17th over and scored a quickfire 32 off a mere 18 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and a six.

Later, Chris Jordan’s brisk 11-run cameo lifted Gulf Giants to finish at a commendable total.

Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers for the Warriors with his four-fer while Chris Woakes bagged two wickets.

In return, the Warriors could accumulate 167/7 despite a flourishing start.

Openers Martin Guptill and Johnson Charles had set up a perfect platform for the home side by putting together a 93-run stand that lasted in the 11th over when the former fell victim to Overton.

Guptil scored a 30-ball 40 which featured six boundaries and a six.

Charles soon followed his partner and perished in the 13th over, soon after amassing his half-century.

He remained the top-scorer for the home side with a 38-ball 57, including six boundaries and three sixes.

Following the openers’ departure, the Warriors lost their way in the pursuit and none of the batters could contribute significantly.

Jamie Overton led the bowling attack for the Giants with 3/29, followed by Jordan’s 2/35 while Richard Gleeson and Dominic Drakes made one scalp each.

Defending ILT20 champions Gulf Giants next face MI Emirates on Sunday while Sharjah Warriors take on Dubai Capitals on Monday.