Antigua Commercial Bank Antigua Parish League held its annual awards ceremony on the 27th of February 2020. It was a well-attended event as last year’s winners and top performers were awarded for what transpired. The ceremony started with the national anthem as most national events would do and a minute of silence to remember the great man in the late Fitzroy Brann.
Parish League’s Top Gun, Mr. Taddy Arrindell took the stage and spoke about cricket in its older days, talking about the reasons why the tournament was established. Then, Senator Richard Lewis was invited to speak about cricket and his friend the late Alvin ‘Sparrow’ Morris. He spoke about his friend’s dedication to the sport and his accomplishments.
Afterward, Mr. Hugh Gore, former Manager of the Antigua Cricket Team took the podium to speak about the current state of cricket in the country. He lambasted the youths about their attitude towards the sport and certainly ‘bowled a lot of beamers’ at those in the audience. He was direct, brash, and clear with his choice of words, without a care who was offended. But those who could see past the much needed constructive criticism were some of the first to applaud him for a job well done.
It was then time for the presentation of the awards to the top performers in the various competitions. We must add that it was the first time we saw that no one dominated last season. We believe it could have possibly been due to the unavailability of certain players possibly to ABCA competitions or work. Whatever it may have been, it was an exciting season filled with a lot of budding talent. Here is the list of the awardees for all competitions held.
ACB Curtly Ambrose 35 Over Competition
Winner
Runners Up
Semi-Finalists
Freetown Cricket Club & Newfield Sports Club
Best Batsman
Most Runs- 182 runs @ an average of 45.50 and top score 71* vs St. Pauls
Best Bowler
Most Wickets – 17 wickets @ an average of 11.47 with best of 5-34 vs Freetown
Player of the Final
Lynton Africa 4 wickets- 46 runs
ACB Richie Richardson Limited Overs Competition
Winner
Runners Up
Semi-Finalist
Newfield Sports Club & Police Cricket Club
Best Batsman
Most Runs 145 runs @ 48.33 and top score 67 vs Freetown
Best Bowler
Most Wickets – 9 wickets @ an average of 13 with best of 3-16 vs Police Sports Club
Player of the Finals
Robert Browne 2 wickets – 6runs
ACB Dave Joseph Limited Overs Competition
Winner
Runners Up
Semi-Finalist
Freetown Cricket Club & Police Sports Club
Best Batsman
Amahl Nathaniel
Most Runs – 226 runs @ an average of 113 with best of 103* vs Mahico Cricket Club
Best Bowler
Dwaine Fordyce
Most Wickets – 17 wickets @ an average of 10.60 with best of 5-47 vs Pigotts Sports Club
Player of the Final
Kadeem Henry 89 runs
Sir Vivian Richards Thursday League Competition
Winner
Runners Up
Semi-Finalists
Newfield Sports Club & Mahico Cricket Club
Best Batsman
Most Runs – 210 runs @ average of 105 with 128* vs Newfield Eagles
Best Bowler
Most Wickets – 9 wickets @ average of 15.3 with best of 4-47 vs Rising Sun Spartans
Player of the Finals
Tyrone Theophile 89* & 3 wkts – 35 runs
Special Awardees
Ridley Jacobs Award- Most Promising Wicketkeeper- Jewel Andrew
Alvin Morris Award- Most Promising Young Batsman- Jewel Andrew
Jensen “Gunner” Joseph- Most Promising All-Rounder – Omar Francis
Winston Benjamin & Vaughn Walsh – Most Promising Young Fast Bowler- Malique Gerald