By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
Royal Knights improved to 3-0 on the season
Royal Knights opener Ameri Hinds, led them to a 5-wickets victory over Police in a clash between unbeaten teams, in the BVI Cricket Association T20 league match in Greenland on Sunday.
He was thankful for the free hit after the first ball he faced was caught, when Police opening bowler Jerome Morris’ delivery was judged as a no ball. Hinds, who also took a wicket for 32 runs, went on to make a stroke-filled 95, helping Royal Knights to 206 for 5, eclipsing Police’s 200, as they improved to 3-0 and Police fell to 2-1. Julian St. Clair contributed a supporting 45 not out and Captain Keon DeJesus, a feisty 34. Kevin Shilchand grabbed 2 for 14 as Police’s best bowler.
Police who won the toss and decided to bat, got a defiant 52 from Shem Stay, a helpful 45 from Jamal Mickle and a useful 24 from Wicketkeeper, James Ramprashad. Royal Knights bowler Kazim Haywood, snagged 3 for 25.
“I was under a lot of pressure today from fielding. We were flat on the field, had dropped catches and they put up 200—a big total—so coming in, I was a bit antsy and everything was going through my mind, so I was under a lot of pressure,” Hinds told Island Sun Sports. “When he caught that first ball, I was thinking here we go again. It was rough out there, but I really tried and pushed to score 95. It would have been my first 100 in BVI, a big milestone. I’m still proud of my performance, but it really hurt me.”
The 18-year-old who had 55 against the St. Croix Vipers and 25 against the St. Thomas All Stars in the President’s Day T20, had eight sixes and seven fours and said that even though he fell short of the century, he was happy with his performance.
“I led from the front and as a youngster, I’m really proud,” he said. “I’m not going to lie, I was going for a six to get the 100 in style. I was hurt, but my team was going for a good win and I was happy as a team player and was grateful that we won, after chasing such a big total.”
Police Captain Collis Fraser, said he picked up an injury during the President’s Day T20 in St. Thomas and was unable to bowl his usual number of overs to help his team but it was the most runs they have scored this season. “However, our bowlers were not able to defend that total,” he noted. “Practice is something we always stress on but because of work, most of the players aren’t getting enough time to practice, so that’s one of the things that’s affecting our bowlers—a lack of practice.”
In the other game, Avishkar Sewkarran had a quick fire 64 from 24 balls with six sixes and six fours and Aaron Baker a stirring 46 not out, in helping Cavaliers to an eight wickets victory over the V.I. Combined Renegades, who posted 121 in 17 overs. Sammy Jones just missed a half century with 49. Man of the Match Sewkarran snatched 2 for 20; Dhanpaul Chrisnanand and Jeeyan Diananarine, plucked 2 for 24 respectively. The Cavaliers were 123 for 2 in 7.4 overs.
