NAGICO-LICA Cricket One Day Tournament
St Kitts scrapes two wickets win over Nevis.
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.
Arch rivals St Kits and Nevis faced off in what was billed as a breathtaking fifth round action for the 2008 Leeward Islands NAGICO Sponsored One Day cricket competition.
The match which was played at the Warner Park cricket ground saw Nevis winning the toss and taking first strike. The crowd support can be described as decent as a number of fans turned out to see the two long term rivals facing off as the tempo increased for a spot in the semifinals which is billed for St Maarten.
Nevis batting first was not off to a good start as they were very defensive in their attempt at gaining runs. Kerion Powell who commentator, Victor Eddie described as a potentially good player did not get to double figures and Vice Captain Tinito Willet who is also as a seasoned campaigner for the Leeward Islands also failed to get to double figures as he played across his line and was adjudged LBW.
Apart from the captain Joel Simmons who got a well played 51 not out. His innings was well organized one and he was unfortunate to not built on the good start that he had. His 51 was well organized and he capitalized on the very bad deliveries that was bowled and sent seven balls to the boundaries ropes from the 62 deliveries that he had faced. His sensible batting was a very positive sign for Nevis as he took the available one and twos.
Runako Morton had earlier retired hurt earlier as he was experiencing severe cramps however after the demise of two other batsmen he returned and was run out for a well crafted 62 from 76 balls with eight fours.
St Kitts fielding was generally very good as the players were determined to demonstrate to their sister island as why they are the defending champions. A spectator point in the fielding was when Kevin Hanley took a sensational diving catch coming from in the backward square leg where he took the catch inches from the ground.
Hanley's bowling was also commendable as he gave a good all round account of himself where he grabbed two for 33 from ten overs. The other wicket takers were Terrance Ward with two for 36 from 6.4 overs and Jacques Taylor with two for 31 from six overs.
In the end Nevis was only able to muster up 178 all out in 45.4 overs.
At St Kitts turn at the crease they had difficulties in mustering up the total as the tonight and consistent bowling by the Nevisians prevented them from scoring freely.
Leading the charge in reaching the required milestone was Captain Shane Jeffers who made 59 which was laced with six fours from 108 deliveries. Codville Rogers missed out on what would have been a well played half century as he was out for 46 from 78 deliveries with five fours while Juni Mithum made 23 with two fours.
In the end Sgt Kitts was able to crave out a well fought victory with one over to spare as they reached the required total at the end of the 49th over when he hit a four to the deep extra cover boundary.
Bowling for Joseph Williams who bagged three for 3 from nine overs. While Tonito Willet and Nelson Bolan had two wickets each for 30 and 40 respectively from nine overs.
The win for St Kitts meant that they are on seven points while Nevis is still on six points. Both teams are in a battle with Anguilla and Montserrat to garner the three remaining semifinal spots, Antigua has already booked their spot.