Once again the Anguilla cricket team delivered a knock out punch to another Leeward Islands cricketing power in a three-day encounter. Anguilla performed well in the batting and bowling departments and was ably assisted by some excellent fielding. Batting first, Nevis struggled to 111 runs. Its top scorers were Tonito and Akito Willette who scored 37 and 22 respectively and Kerion Powell who contributed 20 runs.

Scenes of the three-day cricket match held at the JRWP, Anguilla vs Nevis

Omari Banks’ off spin exposed the weaknesses of the Nevis batsmen, as they were unable to cope with his flight, length or dorsa. Banks pillaging bagged him 8 wickets from 12.4 overs while conceding some 28 runs. During his spell he also bowled 3 maiden overs. He was ably assisted by medium fast bowler Delano Mussington who got one wicket from 16 overs, while giving up 16 runs. Mussington bowled with purpose and pace as he constantly bowled in the block hole, making batsmen think carefully about their shots. However, young Shridaith Rey took the most spectacular catch of the day. Running back to the long off boundary Shridaith tripped, while falling backwards extended his arms behind his head, and took what can only be described as the mother of all catches and dismissing Renako Morton for zero. Immediately his father elated by his son’s efforts rushed to the field and embraced him.

Anguilla amassed a score of 281, mainly through the exploits of the middle order batsmen. The top scorers were O. Banks (78), wicket keeper J. Hamilton (63), C. Hodge (29) and the smooth M. Hodge (23). The main wicket takers for Nevis were Turner who scalped 4 wickets from 24 overs, with 8 maidens while conceding 57 runs. Tonito Willette got 2 wickets from 15 overs with 2 maidens, while giving up 40 runs. Down but not out, the Nevis batsmen were determined to eclipse their first inning total.

Leading the batting charge for Nevis was West Indies one day player, Renako Morton who top scored with a rapid-fire 95 (101 balls, ten 4’s and four 6’s) runs. However young medium fast bowler Kelbert Walters put him through the paces with several testing full-length deliveries. Though he faltered severely early in the innings he navigated the course and thumped the bowlers to all ends of the field. Opening batsman Tyson scored a patient 77 and T. Willette 35 to help propel Nevis to a total of 268, all out.

Anguilla’s bowling was lead by the Kelbert Walters Show. On the third and final day he took 5 wickets for 7 runs. His bowling was underscored with fast swinging full-length deliveries. He concluded the second innings with a haul of 5 wickets from 15.4 overs while conceding 63 runs. Off spin doctor O. Banks took two wickets from 27 overs with 7 maidens, while giving up some 87 runs.

Omari Banks swings a four for Anguilla

Needing 99 runs to win the match, Anguilla’s opening batsmen wasted no time in completing the task at hand. C. Hughes and L. Richardson cut, drove and tickled their way to a 63 run partnership before Richardson was out caught by a brilliant diving catch from the fielder at short midwicket for a well played 24. Captain Chaka Hodge came to the crease and sealed the game in Anguilla’s favor. Anguilla won the match by 9 wickets.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News