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Defending champions Antigua and Barbuda Senior Men flexed their muscles in their second fixture of the Leeward Islands Senior Men’s Mixed Tournament to defeat Nevis on Sunday after victory over St Maarten by seven wickets on Saturday.
After winning the toss and electing to field, Antigua and Barbuda’s bowlers kept Nevis in check, not allowing them to get off to a quick start. Nevis got to 81 for three before the introduction of 18-year-old legspinner Micah McKenzie who turned the game on its head. The remaining seven wickets were all taken by the young spinner as he snared figures of seven for 17 from 5.3 overs, dismissing Nevis for 132 all out.
Shelton Forbes (40) and Ross Powell (30) were the only two batters to provide any noticeable resistance. In reply, Tyrone Williams Jr was the first to go with no score after anchoring the team’s chase against St. Maarten a day before. Kofi James and Karima Gore played with freedom as they got to scores of 47 and 37*. Spinners Jaden Carmichael and Onaje Amory snagged two wickets apiece.
A day earlier St. Maarten was shot out for 116 with as Rahkeem Cornwall was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for six runs in his four overs with Gore (2/18) and Elroy Francis Jr (2/13) providing excellent support.
Michael Palmer top-scored for St Maarten with 37 off 47 balls, including three fours, but lacked sufficient support before West Indies Under 19’s Israel Morton smashed 29 from a mere eight balls.
Chasing 117, Antigua and Barbuda lost Kadeem Henry early for a duck in the third over, but Williams Jr anchored the run chase with an unbeaten 61 off 83 balls, studded with six boundaries and two sixes.
He found support from Kofi James (19), and Jewel Andrew who remained unbeaten on 16. The victory was sealed in just 24.1 overs, giving the defending champions a comprehensive seven-wicket win.
Nathan Edward (1/12) was the pick of St Maarten’s bowlers, while Daniel Doram and Amarius Harris each claimed a wicket.
Elsewhere on Saturday, St. Kitts and Nevis enjoyed victories over their opponents to get their campaign off to a bright start. At Warner Park, Mikyle Louis stroked the first century of the competition with a masterful 109 from 111 balls to help St. Kitts beat Montserrat by three wickets.
The visitors batted first and were bundled out for 165 in 36.3 overs as Sheno Berridge ran amok of the top order, collecting five for 18. He was supported by Terrance Warde’s two for 31 and debutant Kunal Tilokani who picked up two for 36. Zawandi White offered some resistance with a counterattacking knock of 50 from 59 balls along with Kristan Yearwood who blasted a quickfire 38. Set 166 for victory, the game was kept in the balance with White coming back to three for 28 while debutant Hayden Walsh Jr had figures of two for 28, but with the presence of Louis at the crease, St. Kitts never looked fazed. They went on to win the encounter reaching 171 for seven with nine overs to spare.
Neighbors Nevis were clinical in their victory over Leeward Islands T20 Champions Anguilla taking a comfortable eight wicket. Spinners Onaje Amory (3-17) and Jaden Carmichael (3-28) showed their mettle as they spun webs all around the Anguillans, as they were shot out for 116 in 33.5 overs. When their opportunity came at the crease, Skipper Carlon Tuckett stroked a delightful and unbeaten 52 to help his team reach 117 for two in 24.1 overs leaving sufficient overs to spare.
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