The first match of the recently concluded Leeward Islands Masters Cricket tournament, was expected to create quite a buzz, as Antigua and Barbuda engaged host team Nevis, at the ET Willet Park, on Friday 18th May..
The previous evening, at the opening ceremony to launch the tournament, now in its 20th year, some of the Antigua and Barbuda players had quite a few things to say, as regards what will happen in the encounter.
On the day, the visitors won the toss and elected to send in the home team.
Nevis batted well, to amass a challenging total of 156 in their allotted 20 overs. This was led in no small measure, by a whirlwind half a ton, by debutant, Carlos Adolphus.
The Antigua and Barbuda team, was stifled from the very outset by good bowling by Elroy David and Gerard Charles and then were further stagnated by the spinning trio of Patrick Newton; Derrick Parry and Curtis Morton.
They eventually got to 125 in their allotment of 20 overs and this could have been a lot less, had not Nevis spilled at least six catches en route to victory and had not James taken a particular liking to the bowling of Merlin Liburd, towards the end of the innings.
Summarized scores: Nevis 156 for 7 from 20 overs: Carlos Adolphus 74; Merlin Liburd 22; Curtis Morton 19; Carl Tuckett 15
V. Smith 2 for 24; A. Joseph 2 for 29; E. Francis 1 for 27; D. Williams 1 for 31
Antigua and Barbuda 125 for 9 in 20 overs: H. James 28; J. Maginly 24; G. Prince 19; N. Thomas 13
Curtis Morton 3 for 24; Derrick Parry 2 for 12; Gerard Charles 2 for 28; Elroy David 1 for 9; Patrick Newton 1 for 26
Nevis won by 31 runs.