Feb. 11, 2008 — Antigua and Barbuda beat the U.S. Virgin Islands by 24 runs Saturday night at the Stanford Cricket grounds to move into the quarterfinals of the Stanford 20/20.
Chasing 154, the Virgin Islands had the wickets in hand but the Antigua and Barbuda bowling attack kept them below the required run rate and they ended at 131 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Antigua found scoring difficult early as the Virgin Islands' opening bowlers, Dane Weston and Hamish Anthony, kept a good line and length. Wilden Cornwall, who came in after Captain Sylvester Joseph fell at 34, began aggressively and added 29 for the fourth wicket with Gavin Williams the highest stand of the innings.
However, two quick wickets by the Virgin Islands pegged the Antiguans back as the pair fell in quick succession with no addition to the score. Williams was bowled by the off spinner, Calvin Lewis, and two balls later, Cornwall was run out by Sherville Huggins for 31. A lower-order comeback by Antigua — including partnerships of 25 and 30 for the seventh and eighth wickets, respectively — pushed Antigua to a respectable 153. Lewis was the most successful of V.I. bowlers, finishing with 3 for 16.
In reply, the Virgin Islands lost their openers early but recovered nicely on a third-wicket stand of 66 runs between Captain Sherville Huggins and Junie Anthony. Huggins was the more prolific scorer and he founded the boundary often, hitting seven fours and a six before falling to a top-edge, playing across the line to the leg spinner, Anthony Martin. He struck again soon after to send back Hamish Anthony, and the pressure began to tell on the Virgin Islands as the required run-rate climbed over 12. Junie Anthony played well and was not out in the end with an unbeaten 32, but he could not find any support in the lower-order batsmen and in the process went down in defeat.
All was not lost for the Virgin Islanders, however, as they won both the man of the match and the play of the game prizes. Calvin Lewis was voted man of the match for his outstanding bowling figures of 3 for 16, and he claimed the $25,000 (US) prize while Andrew Eusebe won the $10,000 (US) play of the match.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
