No more semis: Cricket Association to discontinue semifinals and finals format for Two-Day cricket competition

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The Liberta Blackhawks defeated rivals Empire Nation by nine wickets in the 2024 Two Day final played at Pigotts to lift a third straight title. (File photo)
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By Neto Baptiste


The team finishing at the stop of the standings following the round-robin format of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Two Day Competition, will automatically be crowned champions of that format.


This follows a decision by the body’s Cricket Committee to revise the format of the competition which previously say the top four teams compete in two semifinal matches with the two winners advancing to a final.


Head of the Cricket Committee, Kenny Lewis, explained the change in the format while speaking with Observer media.


“The team with the most points will win the tournament so it’s not a playoff. Also, in this situation you have to put tie-breakers just in case any teams end on the same points so the first leg of the tie-breaker will be head to head. Secondly, it will be most wins and when we say most wins, we don’t mean wins on first innings but outright wins and if still tied then both teams will share the championship,” he said.


Some clubs had previously shared concerns over the format, arguing that a team finishing fourth in the standings following round robin play could still take home the title should they success in both their semifinal and final match-ups.


President of the cricket association, Leon “Kuma” Rodney, is hoping for a competitive two-day tournament given the change.


“I am hoping the teams will step up especially for the first tournament. I know that we had some experiences over the last couple of years with the two-day tournament but I think it can only get better because there are more young people playing now and want to play. So let’s hope that this year’s tournament will be a success,” he said.


The cricket boss added that from all indications, things are in place for a smooth start to the season.


“I know they have appointed two directors to go around and check the venues that the matches are slated for this weekend so I’ll get that update in a while so I cannot definitively speak to it at the present moment. I think some of the clubs would have played some practice matches weekend gone as far as I understand,” Rodney said.


Matches in the two-day bowls off on February 1 with defending champions, Liberta Blackhawks traveling to Bolans where they meet home team Bolans Blasters. Last year’s finalists Empire Nation will face Bethesda Golden Eagles in Bethesda, Pigotts Crushers host Tertiary Institutions & Schools, Rising Sun Spartans will be at home to Jennings Tigers and New Winthorpes Lions travel to All Saints to face the Pythons.

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