By Neto Baptiste
Right-handed batting all-rounder Tyrone Williams Jr and right-arm off-spin bowler Justin Athanaze, both of Empire Nation, were the leading batsman and bowler in the recently concluded Two Day Cricket Tournament hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA).
Williams Jr amassed a total of 573 runs across 16 innings with a highest of 113 coming against Bethesda Golden Eagles on the weekend of January 20. The 26-year-old opening batsman hit 17 sixes and 65 fours in his tally, scoring at an average of 38.20. He also scored four half centuries.
Junior Henry of Rising Sun Spartans fell just 17 runs shy of Williams Jr’s tally with 556 runs in 15 innings in the number two slot. Henry made a top score of 90 against Combined Schools on January 20 and has reached 50 five times across his eight matches. He struck 17 sixes and 72 fours at an average of 37.07 and a scoring rate of 97.89.
Third in the pecking order is Liberta Blackhawks’ Michael Greaves with a total of 500 runs in 16 innings. Greaves had a highest of 101 against New Winthorpes Lions in February while scoring one half century, a 95 coming against Bethesda Golden Eagles in January. The right-handed batter struck nine sixes and a total of 58 fours at a strike rate of 60.24 and an average of 41.67.
Empire Nation’s Kershaski Jno Lewis with 456 runs in 15 innings and Pigotts Crushers’ Demari Benta with 454 runs in 14 innings, rounds off the top five batters in the league.
Meanwhile, Athanaze was exceptional with the ball for Empire Nation, claiming a total of 72 wickets at an economy rate of 2.71 and an average of 6.64. The veteran bowler had best figures of 14 for 94 against Liberta Blackhawks when they met on the weekend of February 14. Athanaze also picked up 12 for 50 against Pigotts Crushers, 11 for 50 against Bethesda Golden Eagles and nine for 68 against Rising Sun Spartans.
Young Glenton Williams of Jennings Tigers finished second in the wicket-taking department with 68 scalps at an average 8.78 and an economy rate of 2.71. Williams had best figures of 14 for 22 against Bolans Blasters while picking up 12 for 66 against All Saints Pythons.
Occupying the third position is Pigotts Crushers’ Jawakie Joseph with a total of 53 wickets in nine matches. The bowler recorded four eight-wicket hauls with his best being eight for 17 against Combined Schools. Joseph boasts an economy rate of 3.13 and an average of 9.47.
He is joined in the top five by Crushers teammate, Demari Benta, who claimed a total of 46 wickets. Benta had best figures of nine for 44 at an average of 7.76 and an economy rate of 3.13.
Rounding off the top five is Empire’s Micah McKenzie who claimed a total of 46 wickets at an average of 9.26 and an economy rate of 3.09. McKenzie had best figures of nine for 21 against All Saints Pythons.