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An all-round performance from West Indies spinner, Hayden Walsh Jr, propelled defending champions Liberta Blackhawks to a comfortable 57-runs triumph over rivals Pigotts Crushers in the opening round of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Super40 Competition over the weekend.
Playing at home in Liberta, Walsh batting down the order, hit six fours and two maximums on his way to 53 off 43 deliveries to help guide Blackhawks to 258 for seven off their 40 overs. He had help from Kofi James who made 45 from 28 with four fours and four sixes while Joshua Thomas added 36, Deran Benta contributed with 34 and Rahkeem Cornwall blasted 31 from 24.
Walsh then returned with the ball to grab three wickets for 32 runs in eight overs and help remove Crushers for just 201 runs in 35.4 overs. Elroy Francis Jr (2/19), Cornwall (2/20) and Oshane Thomas (2/48), all contributed to the triumph.
The victory comes despite gallant efforts with the bat from Amahl Nathaniel who made 53 from 58 balls and West Indies’ Jewel Andrew who smacked 52 from just 27 deliveries with six fours and three sixes. Joshua Grant contributed with 39 from 55 balls.
The win leaves Blackhawks in the number two position on the standings with four points behind All Saints Pythons in Zone A.
Pythons were comfortable five-wicket winners over Rising Sun Spartans when they met at McPond.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Spartans were bowled out for 170 in 36 overs with their best effort coming from Jahiem Norde who made 42 from 60 deliveries. Hilroy Andrew contributed with 36 while Kerry Mentore made 31.
Kenrick Scott was the top bowler for Pythons with three wickets for 21 runs in eight overs while Demetri Lucas, Kadeem Josiah and Juston Robinson all snatched two wickets.
Pythons successfully chased their target at 171 for five in just 22 overs. Scott hit a top score of 58 while Michael Haynes-Dover contributed with 57. There were two wickets each for Kenroy Browne and Kerique Mentore bowling for Spartans.
Meanwhile in Zone B, Empire Nation made light work of Tertiary Institutions & Schools to win by 75 runs when they met at Factory.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Empire amassed 183 before they were all out in 28.2 overs. J’Quan Athanaze was the only batter of note with 55 runs. Isiah Attwood (3/36), Kjay Parker (3/36) and Xanden Hobson (2/27) were the pick of the bowlers for the home team.
Damian Lowenfield then bagged four wickets for 25 runs in five overs while Athanaze snatched three for 16 in 3.5 overs to remove Tertiary Institutions & Schools for just 108 runs in 22.5 overs. Micah McKenzie chipped in with two wickets for 11 runs in three overs.
In the other Zone B match contested, Jennings Tigers beat neighbours Bolans Blasters by 43 runs when they met in Jennings.
Batting first, Tigers reached 193 for nine with Matthew Miller top scoring with 58 runs and Glenton Williams adding 32. Richie Thomas picked up four wickets for 28 runs bowling for the opponents while Javaughn James snatched two for 35.
Zavier Freeland (3/17), Glenton Williams (3/18) and Grayson Cuffy (3/29) then combined to remove Bolans for 150 in 36 overs. Winston Nelson and Orlando Peters both made 28.
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