Antigua Wins 2025 Leeward Islands Masters Cricket Championship

The sun beat down on the Caribe Lumbar Ball Park in St. Maarten on Sunday, June 8th, setting the stage for a thrilling final clash in the 2025 Leeward Islands Masters cricket tournament. Antigua and Barbuda and Nevis, both undefeated in the preliminary rounds, were poised for an epic showdown for the championship title. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the two dominant teams prepared to battle it out for cricketing supremacy.

Antigua, after winning the toss, opted to bat first, capitalizing on a hard, well-maintained pitch that promised high scores. The decision proved to be a masterstroke as openers Kerry Mentore and Tris Phillip launched a blistering assault on the Nevis bowlers right from the start. Their aggressive batting display yielded a flurry of boundaries, putting immense pressure on the fielding side. The Nevis bowling attack struggled to contain the onslaught, as the Antiguan opening duo built a mammoth partnership that steadily climbed towards an unprecedented total. The scoreboard whirred relentlessly as Mentore and Phillip continued their relentless barrage of runs, making a mockery of the Nevisian bowling figures.

As the innings neared its conclusion, the opening partnership remained unbroken, a feat rarely witnessed in Twenty20 cricket. With only two overs remaining in their allotted 20, the pair had already shattered the tournament record for the highest opening stand, amassing over 200 runs. Tris Phillip eventually fell for a well-played 86, a commendable innings in its own right, yet overshadowed by the monumental effort of his partner. Kerry Mentore remained unbeaten, carrying his bat through the innings to finish on a breathtaking 137, a knock that cemented his place in the tournament’s history. Antigua and Barbuda ended their innings with an imposing total of 226 for the loss of only one wicket, leaving Nevis with a daunting task ahead.

Faced with an improbable target of 226, Nevis began their chase with a sense of urgency. The elegant Stuart Williams, known for his stroke play, lived up to his reputation, dispatching the Antiguan bowlers to all corners of the ground. His opening partner, Collin Walwyn, initially struggled to find his timing but eventually joined the fray, unleashing a series of impressive shots. Junior Mills further bolstered the Nevisian charge with some powerful sixes that briefly ignited hopes of a miraculous comeback. However, the sheer magnitude of the target proved to be too much of a burden.

When Mills was caught on the boundary, attempting another maximum, Nevis’s momentum waned considerably. The loss of his aggressive batting prowess left a void that the remaining batsmen struggled to fill. Despite their valiant efforts, the required run rate continued to escalate, making the task seem increasingly insurmountable. Nevis eventually finished their innings at 154 for the loss of 4 wickets, a respectable total in any other context, but insufficient to challenge Antigua’s dominance on this day.

The Antiguans erupted in jubilation, celebrating their comprehensive victory and their well-deserved tournament triumph. Having dominated throughout the competition, they capped it off with a masterful performance in the finals, demonstrating their superior batting and bowling prowess. The 72-run margin of victory reflected the chasm between the two sides on the day, leaving no doubt about Antigua and Barbuda’s rightful claim to the 2025 LIMCA T20 Cricket Masters title. Kerry Mentore’s monumental innings of 137 not out was undoubtedly the highlight of the match, earning him the well-deserved Most Valuable Player award for the tournament. His remarkable consistency throughout the competition, accumulating 190 runs, set him apart as the leading run-scorer. Tris Phillip also made a significant contribution with 125 runs, showcasing the depth of Antigua’s batting line-up.

The bowling honors were more evenly distributed, with Chaka Hodge, Calvin Williams, Patrick Newton, and Howard Gerrard all claiming four wickets apiece. The consistent performance of these bowlers underpinned Antigua’s success, effectively restricting their opponents and providing crucial breakthroughs at key moments. Chaka Hodge was particularly impressive, earning the distinction of best average among the tournament’s bowlers. While Bonnell Andrew of St. Thomas shone behind the stumps, earning the accolade of best wicket-keeper. In the final analysis, the 2025 LIMCA T20 Cricket Masters belonged to Antigua and Barbuda. Their all-around excellence in batting, bowling, and fielding, coupled with exceptional individual performances, made them worthy champions, leaving an indelible mark on the tournament’s history.