Twenty-three-year-old Windward Islands middle-order batsman Liam Sebastien defied the Guyana pace/spin attack at the Providence National Stadium yesterday to post his maiden first class century and ensure the Windward Islands snatch first innings points in the battle of the minnows as their final round Carib Beer Cup match enters its final day today.
The left-handed Sebastien, not out on 42 overnight, anchored his team’s innings and featured in a crucial eighth-wicket partnership with Mervin Matthew, who made 39 after Guyana had threatened to make a fight of it by reducing the Windwards to 312-7 shortly before lunch chasing the Guyana first innings score of 396 all out.
Sebastien batted for 291 minutes, faced 331 balls and struck 11 fours in his innings of 133 before he was dismissed by part-time bowler Gajanand Singh as the Windwards tallied a mammoth 467 all out for a useful lead of 71 runs.
Darren Sammy, 72 not out overnight, failed to add to his score as he was caught behind by wicket-keeper Derwin Christian off Esaun Crandon, while skipper Rawl Lewis made 18 and featured in a 34-run sixth wicket stand with Sebastien.
Christian did his best bit of work when he brilliantly stumped Donwell Hector for nought also off Crandon but the lower order led by Shane Shillingford and Nelon Pascal struck a few lusty blows before the team was dismissed.
One bright spot for the Guyanese came when Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who missed the entire second day’s play when he retired on 78, made his way on to the field at 13:55h to relieve the burden on the fielding side who were not allowed a substitute fielder. Batting a second time, Guyana facing nine overs was reduced to 29 for the loss of Krishna Arjune’s wicket.
Arjune was lbw to Matthew for five. At the close Leon Johnson was not out on three and Sewnarine Chattergoon not out on 14(KB).
