Tonito Willett (right) of Nevis earned the Man of the Match award of US$25,000 after he made 86 off 40 balls. Making the presentation is Allen Stanford. - Contributed
ST JOHN'S Antigua (CMC):
Tonito Willett blasted an amazing, unbeaten half-century as Nevis produced a masterful all-round display to outplay Antigua and Barbuda by 43 runs and advance to the semi-finals of the Stanford Twenty/20 Cricket Tournament on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old Willett hit 86 from just 44 balls as the Nevisians silenced a capacity crowd of 5,000 by amassing 213 for three off 20 overs, the highest team score in Match 13 of the tournament at the Stanford Cricket Ground.
In reply, the home side fell apart from the start and reached 170 for nine off their 20 overs, with pacer John Maynard ripping out the top order to finish with three for 25.
There were 16 sixes and 38 fours as close to 400 runs were rattled up in the game.
After the match started an hour late due to heavy rain, Willett set the stage for Nevis with his amazing stroke-play as the visitors went on a run feast. His knock was the highest individual score of the tournament.
"I just kept my eyes on the ball at all times and I just wanted to keeping striking the ball," said Willett.
The 23-year-old banged eight fours and five sixes, the best of which was a cover drive which easily cleared the boundary and brought up the 200-mark.
Classic drives
Willett also played some classic drives to all parts of the field and despite the partisan nature of the Antiguan crowd, they started to cheer him near the end of his innings as they showed their appreciation for his fine display.
"I was trying to zero-in on the ball, it was just me and the ball. I was just trying to stay strong and put away every bad ball. We knew the crowd would be a factor so we had to ensure we kept them silent."
With Willett going great guns, the other Nevisians gave admirable support.
Captain Stuart Williams, Willett's cousin, made a calm 42 off 36 balls in a third-wicket stand of 121 in 11 overs with his relative.
The platform was set by opener Keiran Powell and Shervin Woodley who added 42 in 3.4 overs.
The left-handed Powell was breathtaking, stroking 21 with great ease off nine balls, before he tried to make room and was bowled by off-spinner Anthony Lake, who was Antigua's best bowler with two for 26.
Woodley maintained the momentum, with 49 from 29 balls with three sixes and six fours.
Facing a big target, Antigua and Barbuda were rocked by the pace and accuracy of Maynard who sent back the first three batsmen with Derryck Edwards (0), Anthony Lake (4), Ridley Jacobs (14) all succumbing to catches at the wicket by gloveman Joel Simmonds.
Left-arm spinner Warrington Phillips then put on the finishing touches with two for eight from four overs.
Near the end, big Curtis Roberts gave the home fans something to shout about with three massive sixes - all clearing the ropes and the crowd - in his 36 off 22 balls.
One of the massive blows, which cleared the Sticky Wicket Restaurant and disappeared towards the airport, earned him the US$10,000 prize for Play-of-the-Match.
He added 58 for the eighth wicket with Bertil Baltimore, who rode his luck in making 45 off 29 balls.
It was too little too late, and by the time the final ball was bowled at 11:10 pm, most of the crowd has already made their way home.
