Teddy Nankishore is congratulated by Vishal Bharat on reaching his first ton in the VI. Nankishore went on to to reach 167, his highest ever score. His total included nineteen sixes and ten fours. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Vishal Bharat looked to be to his best form as he compiled 40 before falling to a Redhead flying catch off the bowling of Mingo. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Irving 'King' Hendrikson smashed a quick-fire 35 as Virgin Gorda struggled to come to terms with the Cavaliers bowling and a huge target for victory. His innings included four sixes. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Batting with a cracked toe in a reain-delayed innings, Nankishore took his time to play himself in with the first 3 overs that cost Virgin Gorda just 14 runs. However, it was a one man show with a good supporting cast that followed.

The slow start soon turned into a 117-run partnership with Dorian Auguiste, who scored 43, and then a 92-run combination between Nankishore and Vishal Bharat that blasted the Cavaliers to 209 in just the 15^th over.

No bowler was left unpunished in the onslaught.

A Leslie Ambrose over cost 28 runs, Joel Williams went for 14, Juenick Mingo 59 in his 4 overs, Rodney Modeste 62 from his, Derrol Redhead 43 from 3 and even Irving Hendrikson who went for 69 in just 3 overs.

Nankishore was finally out from the last ball of the innings for a personal best of 167, which included 19 sixes and 10 fours.

“It’s my first hundred in the BVI and my highest score ever,” commented Nankishore, “the ball was zipping around early on, so I decided to stay in and bat long. That has been my plan throughout the tournament and today I got my reward.”

The Virgin Gorda reply got off to a worst possible start when Derrol Redhead hooked a short ball straight down the throat of Dhanpaul without scoring, Dennis Allister followed not soon after to leave VG on 9-2 and then Modeste was out LBW to Devon Rabindra to make it 15-3 with VG now staring a heavy defeat in the face as the Cavaliers young bowlers stuck to their plans and bowled with skill and accuracy.

Joel Williams with 32 and Eldon Williams (41 not out) rebuilt the innings, but were never anywhere close to the required run rate.

Hendrikson smashed a quick-fire 35 and the innings closed on 183 for 9 to see the Cavaliers join Vincy C.C. in the fantastic Four round robin stage.

Many thought the Cavaliers would struggle this season after lost 3 key players in Keith Semple, Daniel Singh and Vijay Jhappan. Captain Jagnarine Persaud was also missing from the line up, but as Nankishore noted, “the youngsters have stepped up and filling their shoes. Right now we are a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

The remaining two spots in the last round will be filled this Sunday when Vikings face Jamrock and Lucas go up against Virgin Gorda.

Play starts at 10 A.M. on the Greenland Recreation Ground with the second game scheduled for a 2 P.M. start.