Host Antigua and Barbuda made an impressive start in the inaugural Leeward Islands Cricket Board’s (LICB) Senior Men’s T20 Cricket Festival at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS) on Saturday.
The Antigua and Barbuda senior men launched their campaign with an emphatic 83-run victory against St. Kitts in their first encounter, which was the last match of an opening day triple-header.
The Antiguans made 192 for six off their 20 overs after being sent in to bat. Vice-captain Karima Gore slammed 79 off 51 balls, including six fours and four sixes.
Nino Henry smashed an unbeaten 34 off 14 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Tariq Newman picked up three for 26.
In reply, St. Kitts were restricted to 109 for six off their 20 overs. Captain Cameron Pennyfeather hit a top score of 27 off 12 balls, including three sixes and a four, and Jaeel Clarke struck 26 off 31 balls.
Off-spinner Kofi James snapped up two wickets for three runs, and leg-spinner Micah McKenzie captured two for 17.
Nevis and Anguilla also made successful starts in the tournament. Nevis snatched a two-run win against the Combined Islands (Montserrat and St. Maarten) in the opening match of the six-team round-robin tournament.
Nevis made 140 for four off their 20 overs after being sent in to bat. Opener Ross Powell slammed an unbeaten 59 off 61 balls. Powell shared a 64-run first-wicket stand with fellow opener Jamie Cornelius, who struck 40 off 29 balls.
Powell also shared a 43-run second-wicket partnership with Shelton Forbes, who made 18 off 17 balls. Michael Palmer picked up two for 28.
In reply, the Combined Islands just fell short as they were restricted to 138 for eight off their 20 overs.
Opener Joshua Grant hammered 44 off 40 balls, and Ziwandi Whyte scored 24 off 19 balls. Kian Pemberton claimed three for 33, pacer Colin Archibald took two for 23, and Bodgenarine Sharma picked up two for 38.
Anguilla recorded a seven-wicket win against the Combined (US and British) Virgin Islands. The Combined Virgin Islands were restricted to 132 for nine off their 20 overs after being sent in to bat.
Roniel Jeffrey struck 25 off 19 balls, Joel Williams hit 21 off 18 balls, and opener Doyle Jones made 20 off 13 balls. Oliver Walker claimed three for 21, Andros Bowens captured three for 23, and Chamiqueko Landerfort took two for 21.
In reply, Anguilla achieved victory by scoring 133 for three with nine balls to spare. Opener Chesney Hughes cracked an unbeaten 52 off 40 balls, including four fours and two sixes, and captain Dimitri Adams struck 33 off 38 balls.
