Walsh: Antigua face difficult challenge in St. Kitts - AntiguaSun

[Anguillan newsboy]

by Elwin Francis

Head Coach Hayden “Sharlo” Walsh said Antigua and Barbuda will be in for a tough challenge when they take on host St. Kitts in their sixth round Leeward Islands Cricket ***ociation’s Three-Day match starting today.
The Antiguans will be seeking revenge after losing to St. Kitts in their final round match last season at Falmouth.
The win allowed St. Kitts to take the three-day title by ending the competition with one point more than the Antiguans. It also ended Antigua and Barbuda's five-year winning streak, having won the three-day title from 2001 to 2005.




This time around Antigua and Barbuda will be heading to St. Kitts as favourites to reclaim the title.
Antigua and Barbuda will enter the penultimate round of matches at the top of the standings with 36 points from four matches.
They have three points more than second placed Anguilla. St. Kitts and Nevis are joint third with 27 points each.
An outright win would certainly enhanced Antigua and Barbuda's chances of reclaiming the three-day title, but Walsh said his young team is anticipating a difficult match against the Kittitians.
“Yes it is going to be a difficult match for the youngsters.
"They are going to be travelling, while St. Kitts will be at home, but I like a challenge and that is the kind of thing that I am trying to rub off on the players I am in charge of,” Walsh said.
“I want them to relish the challenge because life is all about facing and overcoming challenges.
"I think we are going to be mentally prepared to deal with those challenges that we are going to be facing in St. Kitts.
“I hope we will get off to a good start to see it through. I am really backing our strategies in the way we approach and play the game. I do think that will come through so long as the players focus on doing the things that we must do to be successful.”
Fast bowler Gavin Tonge is the only change made to the Antigua and Barbuda side which defeated Nevis by six wickets in their last outing.
Tonge, who has just returned home following contractual duties in the English Minor League, will replace injured fast bowler Adam Sanford for the games in St. Kitts.
Two other matches will also be starting today in the latest round of the LICA Three-Day tournament.
Montserrat will host St. Maarten at Salem Park, while Anguilla will entertain Nevis at Webster Park. The Combined Virgin Islands will be resting.
Antigua squad: Gavin Williams (captain), Kelvin Bowens, Juari Edwards, Devon Thomas, Orlando Peters, Bronco Payne, Justin Athanaze, Carl Simon, Gavin Tonge, Larry Joseph, Chad Hampson, Anthony Martin, Curtis Roberts and Javid Charles. Hayden Walsh (coach); Earl Waldron (manager).