By: Akanimo Kufre
Class, quality, and never-give-up spirit dominated cricket performance at Package B of MKO ABIOLA Stadium on Thursday as two South-South teams made a bold statement on Nigeria women’s cricket.
Edo State fought their way back to top Group 2 after defeating Kogi by 61 runs. Blessing Adesode and her Kogi teammates restricted ambitious Edo batters to 114 runs in the first inning.
However, the South-South champions, Edo quenched Kogi’s attempt to reach 116 target quite early. Kogi made 53 runs and loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
The hot Thursday afternoon in Abuja did not deter hostility between Akwa Ibom and Lagos State teams as the ladies fought fair for cricket’s sake to decide Group 1 true leader.
Akwa Ibom won the toss and batted first, scoring 99 runs and lost 8 wickets. Lagos had enjoyed the early dismissal of Esther Sandy’s partners until Salome Sunday joined the fray.
Akwa’s tally rose with Esther and Salome partnership. When Salome lost her wicket through LBW, Sarah Etim stepped in to keep the scores ticking. Lagos Rachel Samson and Esther Abiodun’s great bowling kept Akwa Ibom’s score at 99 runs.
The second inning was a challenge for Lagos to survive the Akwa Ibom bowling onslaught led by Salome Sunday. Akwa Ibom reduced Nigeria’s former heroes to 55 runs all out in 15.3 overs. Salome Sunday and Nsisong Ifreke dismissed 3 batters each, while Deborah Bassey took out 2 wickets to inflict damage on the Lagos team.
Akwa Ibom won by 44 runs, while Salome Sunday took home the Player of the Match award. Captain Esther Sandy reminds the biggest batter for team Akwa and the tournament’s current top batter with 103 runs.
The four semifinal teams are Edo, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, and Lagos State. While Gombe, Ekiti, Anambra, and Kaduna are out of the National Women’s Cricket competition.
