Defending champions PIC Insurance Liberta Blackhawks made a successful start in their quest for a fourth consecutive Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association’s (ABCA) Super40 Cup limited overs championship on Saturday.
The Blackhawks soared to a commanding 57-run victory against the Pigotts Crushers in their opening round Zone A encounter at the Ball Beef playing field in Liberta.
The Blackhawks made 258 for seven off their allotted 40 overs after losing the toss and being sent in to bat. Hayden Walsh Jr. slammed 53 off 43 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
Opener Kofi James hammered 45 off 28 balls, including four sixes and four fours; Joshua Thomas hit 36 off 43 balls; Deran Benta cracked 34 off 43 balls; captain Rahkeem Cornwall struck 31 off 24 balls; and Elroy Francis Jr. scored 29 off 38 balls.
Captain Kadeem Henry captured three for 23, and Vishal Gobin picked up two for 44.
In reply, the Pigotts Crushers were dismissed for 201 in 35.4 overs. Amahl Nathaniel cracked 53 off 58 balls, including four fours and a six. Jewel Andrew hit 52 off 27 balls, including six fours and three sixes, and Joshua Grant scored 39 off 55 balls.
Hayden Walsh Jr. bagged three for 32, Elroy Francis Jr. claimed two for 19, Rahkeem Cornwall picked up two for 20, and Oshane Thomas captured two for 48.
All Saints Pythons, Empire Nation, and the Jennings Tigers also made winning starts to their campaigns in the Super40 Cup.
All Saints Pythons overcame WES Rising Sun Spartans by five wickets in their Zone A affair at the Mack Pond playing field in All Saints.
Rising Sun Spartans were dismissed for 170 in 36 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. Opener Jahiem Norde struck 42, Hilroy Andrew scored 36, skipper Kerry Mentore made 31, and Royal Richards hit 23.
Captain Kenrick Scott claimed three for 21, Kadeem Josiah took two for 27, Justin Robinson picked up two for 33, and Demetri Lucas captured two for 48.
All Saints Pythons achieved victory at 171 for five in 22 overs. Kenricj Scott hammered an unbeaten 58 off 52 balls, including eight fours, and Michael Haynes Dover hit 57 off 54 balls, with seven boundaries. There was also a contribution of 36 extras, including 20 wides and 12 byes.
Empire Nation crushed Tertiary Institutions & Schools by 75 runs in their Zone B encounter at the Factory Ground. Set 184 to win, Tertiary Institutions & Schools were bundled out for 108 in 22.5 overs.
Only three batsmen managed to reach double figures, and there was a contribution of 28 extras, including 26 wides. Tayari Tonge hit a top score of 26, opener Vonde Bowers struck 23 off 20 balls, and last man Kjay Parker made 12.
Damian Lowenfield snapped up four for 25, JQuan Athanaze claimed three for 16, and leg-spinner Micah McKenzie picked up two for 11.
Empire Nation made 183 all out in 28.2 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat. JQuan Athanaze struck 55 off 64 balls, including seven fours, and George Elvin scored 27 off 32 balls.
Isaiah Attwood and Kjay Parker each picked up three for 36, and Xanden Hobson captured two for 27.
The Jennings Tigers recorded a 43-run victory against the Bolans Blasters in their Zone B match at the Jennings playing field.
The Jennings Tigers made 193 for nine off their 40 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. Matthew Miller hit 58, Glenton Williams struck 32 off 36 balls, and Jahiem Africa scored 27.
Richie Thomas captured four for 28, and Javaughn James claimed two for 35.
In reply, the Bolans Blasters were dismissed for 150 in 36 overs. Orlando Peters and Winston Nelson each made 28, opener Peter Bellanfanti struck 26, and Hughan Tonge scored 20.
Zavier Freeland snapped up three for 17, left-arm spinner Glenton Williams grabbed three for 18, and Grayson Cuffy picked up three for 29.
