By: T. Chapman
Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty and the U19 encounter between Montserrat & Nevis proved this statement true.
Yesterday both teams through their players exhibited good cricketing skills through shot selection, ball movement, and good fielding. Montserrat however, clicked in all aspects which was enough to beat rivals Nevis.
A promising start from Nevis in the field had the Montserrat team on the back foot with the loss of quick wickets, at one point Montserrat were 95 for the loss of 6 wickets. Pemberton and Prentice were among the wickets early but the Montserrat team were scoring very quickly. Captain Z. White and the no. 7 batsman, Liburd (48*) starred in a partnership worth in excess of 100 runs before the captain was caught by Sharma bowled by Pemberton for a well played 102. Montserrat in their allotted 50 overs, reached 234/7.
Nevis favoured their batting lineup to lead the charge to victory. However, Montserrat clearly had other ideas. The loss of Amurdan and Clarke early disrupted Nevis’ flow. With Shevon Jeffers and Captain Marcus Duberry at the crease runs seemed hard to come by as the spin bowlers kept things tight. One bad bowling change is all it took for the Nevis batsmen to capitalize, as Jeffers struck consecutive boundaries.
With Jeffers been comprehensively bowled for 55, Nevis’ run-rate slowed and with Duberry still at the crease Nevis fancied their chances as wickets were in hand. Not being deterred, the Montserrat teamed rallied and were well on their way when they bagged the wicket of Duberry for 42. Things went downhill for Nevis there-after.
A slow run rate, losing wickets quickly, things looked dim for Nevis but Montserrat knew victory was insight.
Nevis were bowled out for 178. Jeffers and Duberry were the main contributors with 55 and 42 respectively and Sharma chipped in with 26.
Montserrat won by 56 runs.
