St. Kitts and Nevis both registered wins on Monday to keep their semi-final berth at home alive in the 2011 NAGICO/Leeward Islands One Day Cricket Tournament. While it has not yet officially been declared which two teams will move on to the semi-final round from Group B (St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Anguilla), St. Maarten are beating themselves for losing to St. Kitts at the Warner Park in St. Kitts, when it appeared at one point that they were dominating the match. All three teams have a win each and the decision and the two teams with the highest net run rate will move on to the finals. It was a close encounter between St. Kitts and St. Maarten, with the former winning by a wicket. St. Maarten set a total of 249 for 9 off 50 overs. St. Maarten's captain Romain Doodnauth scoring a scintillating 92 runs from 118 balls; scoring nine 4s and two 6s. Akeem Charles had 38 from 60 balls (four 4s and one 6), Shaquil Martina 32 and Kenroy David 25. Bowling for St. Kitts: Elvin Berridge picked up and impressive six wickets for 43 runs and Sheeno Berridge 2 for 27.
St. Kitts in reply performed creditably with 250 for 9 off 47.4 overs. Steve Liburd cracked 73 runs, 7 of which were 4s; Codville Rogers 59, Jacques Taylor 40 and Dylan Liddie 23. Bowling for St Maarten, K. David had 2 for 45, Joel Browne 1 for 27 and Moreland Le Blanc 1 for 27. Steve Liburd of the St. Kitts team believed the batting delivered for his team, but there are still issues with the fielding. He said they came out with the aim of bowling St. Maarten out for 230 but with that not happening, they were motivated by being at home and needing to be in the semi-finals. St Maarten coach Rishie Singh commended his batsmen and felt the score could have been defended.
The two opening bowlers he said, bowled well despite a strong partnership by St. Kitts. "We played some good cricket up to the 47th over. A crucial (dropped) catch at the end cost us the game," Singh said. Both Liburd and Singh said they are awaiting official word to determine which two teams will advance to the semi-finals.
Nevis crushes Montserrat
Nevis continue to put their stamp on this year's tournament with a 140 run win at the Elquemedo Willet Park in Nevis. The match was reduced to 48 overs due to overnight showers at the venue. Winning the toss, Montserrat sent Nevis in to bat. The home team scored 247 for 5 with Javia Liburd and Tonito Willet scoring impressive runs of 99 and 61 respectively. Bowling for Montserrat McPherson Meade took a wicket for 32 runs and Lionel Baker 1 for 40. Montserrat in reply sputtered to 107 all out in 30.1 overs. Roscoe Sinclair made 22 runs and Lionel Baker 19. Nelson Bolan picked up 3 for 17, Akito Willett 2 for 2 and Jason Campbell 2 for 36. The tournament continues today with Montserrat facing the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the Warner Park in St. Kitts.
