By Neto Baptiste
At 17 years and 266 days old, Antigua and Barbuda’s Jewel Andrew became the youngest player to score a half century in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), cracking seven fours and one six for his 50 off 30 deliveries, as he helped the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons post 163 for 4 in their 20 overs against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday night.
Coming to the crease with the score at 80 for three, Andrew scored quickly, showing good technique and confidence much to the delight of the home crowd.
“I just wanted to feel the first ball and then after that it was just to bat. At first, I thought I was batting slow, but when I actually looked on how many balls I faced I was like, I can actually get a half century because I still had five overs left and I was already on 30. So I just tried to take it deep and it worked out in my favour,” the youngster said.
The Antigua Grammar School (AGS) student said having played and excelled at the under-19 and with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, have helped to prepare him for this moment.
“It got me in a good space of mind because the CPL is a fast-paced game so I tried using the Under-19s and other leagues to get me prepared for the CPL. I tend to focus more with the older guys. Facing 150 miles per hour [deliveries] you must be on your game,” he said.
Patriots captain Andre Fletcher called the coin correctly and elected to field first and South African pace merchant Anrich Nortje, who would play a crucial cameo with the bat later in the game, skittled Falcons opener Teddy Bishop for just one. Fakhar Zaman then opened his muscular shoulders, hitting five fours and two sixes in making 43 off 32 balls with Kofi James ably supporting with a 22 off 24.
An ebb and flow of runs and wickets followed as a dramatic match headed down to the final over and then the final delivery. Nortje held his nerve to get the single needed off Roshon Primus to give the Patriots a last gasp win, they equal their win tally of last year’s tournament after just one game.
Kyle Mayers was awarded Player of the Match for a crucial 39 off 24 balls
