Leeward Islands Under-19 Cricket Champions of Antigua & Barbuda

The Leeward Islands Under-19 cricket tournament culminated on Sunday, April 20th, 2025, with Antigua and Barbuda claiming the championship title in a thrilling encounter against St. Kitts at Warner Park. Antigua and Barbuda’s victory was built on a solid foundation laid by their batsmen, who, despite facing a disciplined St. Kitts bowling attack, managed to post a competitive total of 188 runs before being bowled out. Malique Baptiste anchored the innings with a crucial unbeaten knock of 51 runs, showcasing resilience and composure under pressure. While other batsmen chipped in with valuable contributions, it was Baptiste’s innings that provided the backbone of Antigua and Barbuda’s total. For St. Kitts, Tijorn Tilokani’s bowling performance stood out, as he troubled the Antiguan batsmen with his variations and accuracy, claiming 3 wickets for a mere 21 runs.

St. Kitts, chasing 189 for victory, faced a formidable challenge against the Antigua and Barbuda bowling attack. Despite a valiant effort by their batsmen, they fell short of the target, managing only 155 runs before being bowled out. While opener Carajah Bergan provided a promising start with a well-crafted 39 runs, the rest of the St. Kitts batting line-up struggled to build substantial partnerships and accelerate the scoring rate. The turning point of the match came in the form of an exceptional bowling spell by Elroy Tonge, who wreaked havoc in the St. Kitts middle order, picking up 4 wickets for a miserly 12 runs. Tonge’s ability to extract movement and generate awkward bounce proved too much for the St. Kitts batsmen to handle, ultimately leading to their downfall. Antigua and Barbuda emerged victorious by a comfortable margin of 33 runs, showcasing their all-round dominance throughout the tournament.

In the third-place playoff match held at Conaree, St. Maarten faced off against Nevis in a closely contested encounter. Nevis, batting first, set a target of 155 runs after being bowled out. Deshawn James was the top scorer for Nevis with a valuable contribution of 36 runs, but the team struggled to build a substantial total due to a disciplined bowling effort by St. Maarten. The Nevis innings lacked significant partnerships, and they were unable to capitalize on a promising start, losing wickets at regular intervals.

St. Maarten, in their pursuit of 155 runs, faced a challenging chase, with the Nevis bowlers putting up a spirited fight. The St. Maarten batsmen exhibited resilience and determination, navigating the tricky Nevis bowling attack with careful shot selection and building crucial partnerships. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, they managed to keep the scoreboard ticking and maintain the required run rate. St. Maarten eventually overhauled the target in 44.4 overs, reaching 155 for the loss of 8 wickets. Uriel Honore played a pivotal role in St. Maarten’s victory, top-scoring with a well-crafted 48 runs, anchoring the chase and guiding his team to a thrilling two-wicket win. Honore’s innings was a testament to his composure under pressure, as he played a calculated innings, rotating the strike effectively and capitalizing on loose deliveries.

The Leeward Islands Under-19 tournament showcased the promising talent emerging from the region, with Antigua and Barbuda’s championship victory highlighting their depth and skill. Malique Baptiste’s crucial half-century in the final and Elroy Tonge’s devastating bowling spell were instrumental in securing their triumph. St. Kitts, despite their loss in the final, demonstrated their competitive spirit throughout the tournament, with Tijorn Tilokani’s impressive bowling figures a testament to their bowling prowess.

The third-place playoff between St. Maarten and Nevis further emphasized the competitive nature of the tournament. St. Maarten’s narrow victory over Nevis highlighted their resilience and determination, with Uriel Honore’s match-winning knock showcasing his potential as a future star. The tournament provided a valuable platform for young cricketers from the Leeward Islands to display their skills and gain experience, contributing to the development and growth of the sport in the region. The performances witnessed throughout the tournament suggest a bright future for cricket in the Leeward Islands, with these young talents poised to make their mark on the bigger stage.