CHARLESTOWN Nevis, February 24th 2011 - Andrew ‘Matchum’ Herbert produced a superlative match winning performance to steer his Empire team into the finals of the Bonzo 10/10 cricket league, sponsored by the Nevis Credit Union.
In their semi final encounter versus the Jessups team last evening, Empire batted first after being inserted on what appeared to be a damp pitch. They started badly when one of their main batsmen Junior Duncan Mills mistimed a pull shot and was easily caught off a leading edge. Andre Browne and Nelson Boland followed in short order and when Wasim Mintos was magnificently but controversially caught on the boundary at cow’s corner by Larry Phillip, the Jessups team was cock-a-hoop.
However, the experienced former Leewards Islands wicketkeeper batsman, Joel Simmonds, teamed up with Herbert in an impressive partnership, during which Herbert was the main striker of the ball. He played shots all around the grounds, finishing with two impressive biggies into the Charlestown Primary school grounds off the bowling of the normally mean Teddy Blackman Liburd.
Empire got to 101 from their 10 overs.
When the Jessups team batted, Nelson Boland made life uncomfortable for openers Marvin Hamilton and Samuel Williams with a combination of yorkers and snorters, as the pitch suddenly came to live.
Except for the occasional boundary, the Jessups men generally struggled against the disciplined bowling of the Empire team and superior outfielding. Captain Adelvin Phillip who is preparing to attend the ICC high performance center session in St.Kitts next week, bowled quickly and impressively.
By the time the off spin of Herbert was introduced into the attack, the Jessups scoring machine had ground to a virtual halt. Herbert mesmerized the remaining batsmen as the innings came to its expected conclusion with Jessups crawling to the eventual total of 62 for 7 from their 10 overs.
The small crowd on hand was highly entertained however as they found time for laughs.
One spectator was quick to point out that in the match, based on nicknames of some of the players; the Jessups team had a “Bat’ (Gaston Eddy) at third man and a ‘Pig’ (Marvin Hamilton) at short extra cover, with the Empire team, having a ‘Chicken’ (Ralph Allen) in their line up.
Summarized scores: Empire 101 for 5 from 10 overs: Andrew Herbert 41 not out; Joel Simmonds 22 and Andre Browne 14
Teddy Liburd; Gaston Eddy and Jurnel Turner all picked up 1 wicket each and Kirt Grant collected 2
Jessups: 62 for 7 from 10 overs—Larry Phillip 15; Marvin Hamilton 10
Andrew Herbert 4 wickets and Adelvin Phillip 3
Empire will now engage Highlights Int in the grand finals this evening starting at 6pm.
However, the players for both teams are expected to be at the Ramsbury grounds by 5.30 pm.
