NAGICO-LICA Cricket One Day Tournament
Top of the Table Clash Provides Excitement - Antigua Assured of Semifinal Berth.
By Rawle Nelson
In Photo seated left to right: NAGICO's Marketing Manager, Jasmine Payne; NAGICO's Managing Director, Mr. Eric Ellis; President of LICA, Mr. Gregory Shillingford and President of the St. Kitts Cricket Association, Mr. Ingleton Liburd.
Antigua and Auguilla squared off against each other when fifth round action in the 2008 Leeward Islands NAGICO Sponsored One Day Cricket competition continued at the Cayon ground.
Antigua and Anguilla had been unbeaten thus far in the competition with both teams pulling off convincing and mind boggling victories over their four previous opponents. However in the fifty round action the match got off to a very prompt start after rounds three and four saw a number of punctuated interruptions as a result of rain. Under brilliant sunshine and an excellently prepared wicket. Antigua made a sensational 336 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Leading the onslaught was Austin Richards who scored his second century of this year's tournament with a blundering 140 from the 120 deliveries in 133 minutes that he had faced. Richards who used his bat like a blade through cheese hammered 14 fours and seven sixes in the process he shared a 134 opening round partnership with Mali Richards who made 34. Mali faced 54 deliveries and hit three fours.
Orland Peters who also has been enjoying a good season got into the runs when he stroked 46 from 58 deliveries in 73 minutes. He sent the ball to the boundary four times in his knock.
Gavin Williams had a good start but like many of the batsmen in this year's tournament he failed to carry on. After he had hit a four and a six he lost his wicket thus making a total of 25 runs. Captain Cornwall was looking very good but threw it all away when he was set on 49 runs and took a single that was certainly not on. He was needlessly run out giving away another wicket. His 49 came in just 26b deliveries as he slaughtered the bowling hitting five fours and one six. The other batsman to return to the dressing room was Justin ------- who only made four runs.
The Anguillan bowling was spearheaded by Chesney Hughes who from his ten overs had two wickets for 52 runs. The other wicket takers for Anguilla with one apiece were Masimba Bowen, 7 overs for 53 runs, Chacka Hodge ten overs for 57 runs and Terrance Adams six overs for 51 runs.
Needing 337 for victory the Anguillans started their reply to Antigua's total poorly when bowling star Chesney Hughes after facing only two deliveries was caught by centurion Austin Richards. Lyndell Richardson was next to go with a mere five run contribution. His stumps were shattered by Anthony Martin. The Anguillans attempted to rebuild their innings after the early break through by the Antiguans and they were somewhat successful in their attempt.
However, tight and disciplined bowling by the Antiguans prevented the Anguillans from capitalizing from any possible opportunities. The Anguillans was sitting in a somewhat good position with 81 runs on the board with two batsmen already back into the pavilion after the 17th over but things did not go their way after there.
In the end they ran out of overs and was only able to muster up a total of 243 for nine at the end of their fifty overs. Only Montsin Hodge with a 79 ball 74 was able to take the fight to the Antiguans. When he departed LBW to Anthony Martin, the Antiguans had something got celebrate as he was the danger man that was beginning to prove to be a torn in the side of the Antiguans. He had laced the field with nine fours and one six. Hodge entertaining innings had the small crowd at Cayon excited as the locals who turned out to support the b-game was divided in their support for Antigua and Anguilla.
Failure by his batsmen robbed him along with Jamah Hamilton who had gotten into the party of runs also from seeing their team to victory over Antigua who seems on course to tae the double this year. Hamilton aggressive innings saw him making 68 not out. His knock included six fours.
Taking care of the Anguillans batsmen was Anthony Martin who snapped three wickets for 20 runs from his nine overs. Getting in to the thick of things was Larry Joseph who took two for 44 from his nine over also.
The win has left the current three day LICA Champion on top of the points standing with ten points from five matches. Anguilla is on eight from their five games with four wins and one loss.
The semifinal and final of the tournament will be contested in St Maarten with the top four teams from the eight team competition will advance to the next stage.