New comers Central Trinidad Touring Team have captured the 2012 Antigua and Barbuda International Masters 20/20 Cricket Fest title by beating back to back champions New York Masters by 63 runs.

 

The Final, which took place on Sunday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium saw the best two teams of the Cricket Fest take to the field before a very appreciative crowd. Central Trinidad won the toss and batted first reaching 147 for 6 off their 20 overs.

Rajendra Mangalie hit 42, Narine Bidhesi 34 and Mukesh Persad 32. John Sylvester and Austin Hutchinson of New York Masters had 1 for 24 and 1 for 28 respectively.

 

In reply New York Masters could only manage 84 runs and were bowled out in 19 overs. Roy Bryan hit 18. Ranjendra Mangalie had 2 for 4 and Jodhan Manohar had 2for 8. Rajendra Mangalie was man of the Match.

 

The Central Trinidad Team reached the finals earlier in the day by beating Bargain Center Group of Companies Antigua Masters by 51 runs in the second semi-finals. Central Trinidad batted first and made 156 for 5 off their 20 overs. Hatim Khan Hit 39, Robert Mahabir 46 not out and Mukesh Persad 26 not out. Franklyn Francis had 1 for 18.

 

In reply, Bargain Center Group of Companies Antigua Masters reached 105 for 9 off their 20 overs, Frederick Floyd 39. Narine Bidhesi had 3 for 8 and Hermant Balia 2 for 5. Robert Mahabir was man of the match. New York Masters reached the finals by beat Wadadli New York by 9 wickets in the first semi-finals.

 

The finals gave the fans plenty to cheer about as the Central Trinidad Touring Team entertained with big shots, great catching and disciplined fielding. It was great finish to a successful event that has already garnered the full support of the Hon. Minister of Tourism John Maginley as he expressed his delight at the event’s growth and organisation and has pledged the Ministry’s full support for the event next year.

 

Sunday’s thrilling encounters followed Saturday’s final first round matches, first semi-final and the exhibition match between the West Indies All Stars v the Combined Masters. The then defending champion, the New York Masters were unbeaten and had reached the Semi-finals and looked set to retain their title. Playing their final first round match, they beat New Jersey Masters by 9 wickets.

 

Batting first New Jersey Masters were all out for 83 in 18.2 overs playing with 9 men. Ira Roberts 31 and Carty Mason 13, John Sylvester had 3 for 7 and Robin Bascus JR 2 for 12. In reply New York Masters reached 84 for 1 in 11.3 overs. Ahmed Proverbs 34 not out, Roy Bryan 23 and John Sylvester 20 not out, Ira Roberts had 1 for 21.

 

New York Masters continued their unbeaten run by beating neighbour’s Wadadli New York in the first Semi-finals by 9 wickets. Batting first, Wadadli New York was all out for 136 in 19.4 overs. Fitzroy Jacobs hit 27, Garry Sebastian 33, Ralph Bowen 19 and Lincoln Leblanc 13. Austin Hutchinson had 3 for 22, John Sylvester 2 for 14 and Derrol Thomas 2 for 20. In reply, New York Masters 137 for 1. Ahmed Proverbs 14, Roy Bryan 50 not out and John Sylvester 59 not out. Vaughn Walsh had 1 for 11.

 

Bargain Center Group of Companies Antigua Masters recovered from a very poor start of 35 for 5 tracing 119 for victory to beat the Veterans Club of St. Croix by 3 wickets to take the second semi-final spot. Batting first, Veterans Club of St. Croix reached 118 for 8 off their 20 overs. Sherville Williams hit 37, Clifford Walwyn 40 and Winston Sutton 13. Selvyn Hobson had 2 for 7 and Vince Smith 2 for 13. In reply Antigua Masters reach 120 for 7 in 18.5 overs. Frederick Floyd 25, Everette Thomas 33, Selvyn Hobson 26 not out and Robert Browne 26 not out. Huan Nicholas had 5 for 10. They went on to lose convincingly to the Central Trinidad Touring Team in lopsided second semi-final.

 

The Former West Indies Cricket Stars shone too bright for the combined Masters in the Exhibition Match. The West Indies All Stars beat the Combined Masters team by 96 runs. Batting first the West Indies All Stars amassed 224 for 3 off their 20 overs, it was filled with stroke play and perfect timing, Keith Arthurton hit a classic 62 before he retired out, Devon Thomas and Sylvester Bouncing Joseph did not ease up the pressure and both also hit half Centuries, Thomas a stroke filled 52 and Joseph a classical 52 not out, while Ridley Jacobs had 16 not out.

 

It has been said that class is permanent and the West Indies All Stars showed that. Robert Mahabir of the Combined Masters had 1 for 30, Sherville Huggins 1for 47 and Austin Hutchinson had 1 for 11. In reply the Combined Masters could only manage 128 for 3. Keith Elliot 24 retired out, Azad Mohammed 28 retired out, John Sylvester 37 and Sherville Huggins 14. Gavin Tonge of the West Indies All Stars

 

The Prize Giving Ceremony took place straight after the final and the following Man of the Match Awardees received a bottle of Cavalier Antigua Gold Rum courtesy Premier Beverages: Eustace Tonge of New York Wadadli, Shervillle Huggins of the Veterans club of St. Croix, Ahmed Proverbs of New York Masters, RaJendra Mangalie of Central Trinidad, Austin Hutchinson of New York, Alva Joseph of Bargain Center Group of Companies Antigua Masters, John Sylvester of New York Masters and Hugh Nicholas the Veterans Club of St Croix.

 

The Best Batsman prize went to Ahmed Proverbs of New York scoring 225 runs with an average of 56.25, John Sylvester of New York Masters was the best Bowler picking up 11 wickets for an average of 8.00, Best Fielder was Carol Lewis of New York Masters, Best Wicket Keeper was Charles Walker of New York Masters– each received a trophy and a bottle of English Harbour 5yr Old Rum, courtesy of Premier Beverages. Keith Arthurton was man of the match in the Exhibition Match between West Indies All Stars and Combined Masters as he scored 62 not out.

 

The highly prized Man of the Series Award went to John Sylvester of New York Masters for scoring 122 runs and capturing 11 wickets. He won a trophy and a weekend for two at Trade Winds Hotel. In spite of losing the title, the New York Masters captured the most Individual prizes.

 

The Bowling and Throwing Competition Sponsored by Virgin Holidays was won by Lana Thomas of Cedar Grove and Calvin ‘Chisel’ Carr of All Saints. Thomas won the Throwing and Carr won the Bowling after a thrilling sudden bowl off with Ada Sandy. Thomas and Carr each received a return ticket to London donated by Virgin Holidays. Karen Budd, Virgin Holidays Destination Manager, Antigua and Barbuda said that: “Virgin Holidays is really pleased to be involved with this year’s Masters 20/20. Cricket has such an important role in the heritage of the Caribbean and it’s very exciting for us to be a part of a celebration of that – and to be involved in an event which has attracted such big names. We congratulate the winners, Lana Thomas and Calvin Carr.”

 

The 2012 Antigua and Barbuda International Masters 20/20 Cricket Fest is organised by Richie Rich Sports and Leisure and Indigo Events Services in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.