Nevis and the Combined Islands (Montserrat and St. Maarten) both recorded their second win in three matches to remain in contention for a place in the final of the inaugural Leeward Islands Cricket Board’s (LICB) T20 Festival in Antigua on Tuesday.
The Nevisians coasted to a seven-wicket win against the Combined Virgin Islands (British and United States) at the Pigotts playing field.
The Combined Virgin Islands were restricted to 152 for five off their allotted 20 overs after losing the toss and being sent in to bat. Ameri Hinds hit an unbeaten 45 off 42 balls, including three fours and a six.
Roniel Jeffery struck 34 not out off 19 balls, including four fours and two sixes, and Keion De Jesus made 23 off 25 balls. Pacer Colin Archibald captured two for 29.
The Nevisians achieved victory by scoring 153 for three in 16 overs. Opener Jamie Cornelius smashed 79 off 53 balls, including seven sixes and four fours.
Fellow opener Ross Powell struck 49 off 23 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Ameri Hinds picked up two for 38.
The Combined Islands pulled off a four-wicket victory against bottom team St. Kitts at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The Kittitians could only manage to make 124 for eight off their 20 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat. Opener Tariq Newman cracked 47 off 39 balls, including four sixes and three fours.
Captain Cameron Pennyfeather and Jaeel Clarke each chipped in with 18. Combined Islands captain and left-arm spinner Daniel Doram snapped up three for 29, and Shernyl Burns grabbed three for 31.
In reply, the Combined Islands achieved victory by scoring 125 for six with three overs to spare. Sherwin Peters slammed 47 off 30 balls, including six fours and two sixes, and Ziwandi Whyte struck 24 off 17 balls, with two fours and two sixes.
Kunal Tilokani snapped up three for 12, and Shaquan Pemberton captured two for 19.
Tuesday’s results allow Nevis and the Combined Virgin Islands to join host Antigua and Barbuda on eight points from three matches.
However, Antigua and Barbuda, who lost to unbeaten leaders Anguilla by 11 runs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Tuesday, currently occupy second place by virtue of a better net run rate.
Anguilla currently leads the six-team round-robin competition with 12 points from three matches. The Combined Islands occupy third place, and the Nevisians are in fourth place.
The Combined Virgin Islands and St. Kitts are yet to record a point after both teams lost all three matches. However, the Kittitians are currently in the cellar by virtue of an inferior net run rate.
The top two teams at the end of the preliminary round-robin stage will advance to the final on Sunday. The third and fourth place finishers in the preliminary phase will meet in a playoff for overall third place.
The tournament will resume with three matches on Thursday (today).
The Anguillans will take on Nevis at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at 11 am, Antigua and Barbuda will meet the Combined Islands (Montserrat and St. Maarten) at the Pigotts playing field at 2:30 pm, and St. Kitts will clash with the Combined Virgin Islands at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at 3 pm.
