Antigua and Barbuda won their third consecutive Leeward Islands Cricket title edging Anguilla by only two runs in the finals on Sunday at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark in St. Maarten. Omari Banks delivered a scintillating performance with 7 sixes and 2 fours and almost led his team to an incomprehensible comeback after scoring slowly in the Anguilla innings.
His performance earned him the Man of the Tournament award on 259 runs in the entire competition. However, Antigua’s Anthony Martin who got the most wickets of the tournament award, wreaked havoc in the Anguilla batting line-up and ushered his team to victory with two last wickets from the first two balls of the last over including the coveted stumps of Omari Banks. Rain reduced the match to 43 overs where Antigua and Barbuda scored 212 in 39.4 overs. In reply, Anguilla scored 210 for 9 in the allotted 43 overs.
Kadeem Phillip was run out by Jahmar Hamilton for 32, Jannick Leonard bowled Mali Richards for 1, Rakem Cornwall was out on 24, Gavin Williams was out for 28, Devon Thomas made 18, Shane Burton was caught on 39 by Chesney Hughes, Wilden Cornwall made 49 runs, Chesney Hughes bowled Kerry Mentore for 11, Justin Athanaze and Gavin Tonge made 1 run each. For Anguilla Jannick Leonard Rondell and Nordel Lake each a wicket for 39, 38 and 1 runs respectively, Chesney Hughes 2 for 27 and Omari Banks 3 for 19.
On the batting end, Anguilla’s captain Omari Banks made79 runs, Moncin Hodge 74 before he was caught by Anthony Martin, Lindell Richards bowled LBW by Martin for 27, Chesney Hughes bowled for 6, Jannick Leonard, Jahmar Hamilton and Chaka Hodge all out for ducks, Masimba Bowen for 1, Rondell Lake and Junior Johnson finishing with 4 runs each and Nordell Lake on 3 runs. For Antigua’s bowling: Anthony Martin was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 29, Wilden Cornwall 3 for 34 and Justin Athanaze 1 for 69 runs.
NAGICO CEO Imran McSood, speaking at the closing ceremony was pleased with the quality of play in this year’s tournament. He congratulated Antigua and Barbuda and commended Anguilla for their performance. He thanked the Leeward Islands Cricket Association and the board of the St. Maarten Cricket Association for hosting the matches.