KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Leeward Islands staged a gallant run chase to stun defending champions Barbados by four wickets on the final day of their second round TCL Group West Indies three-day Cup match yesterday.
Set a target of 272 runs for victory after Barbados declared their second innings at 177 for eight half hour into the day’s play, Leewards easily reached their target to post their second successive win in the tournament.
The Leewards owed their tremendous victory to the opening pair of captain Kejel Tyson who slammed 87 and fellow opener Tashmail Mills, who scored 64.
Mills struck eight fours and two sixes in an innings that lasted 116 minutes and required 79 balls while Tyson’s knock lasted 232 minutes, 171 balls and included 10 fours.
The duo shared a stand of 120 which laid the foundation for the Leewards’ win as they cantered home with time to spare at Elletson Road.
Both batsmen played positively with the left-handed Mills being the more aggressive of the two.
When he was dismissed, caught by Mario Miller at square leg off the bowling of fast bowler Jason Holder, the Leewards quickly lost two more wickets as Holder hauled his side back into contention.
Holder, who finished with four for 35, quickly accounted for Shane Burton (8) and Akeen Saunders (0) as Leewards slipped to 139 for three.
Tyson, however, found an able partner in wicketkeeper/batsman Jahmar Hamilton who stroked 48, and they added 73 for the fourth wicket to put their side back on course for victory.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican accounted for Tyson caught at the wicket at 212 for four and Holder then removed Rakeem Cornwall without scoring, before the dangerous Hamilton was run out as Barbados clawed their way back to leave the Leewards 220 for six.
Hamilton batted 98 minutes, faced 61 deliveries and counted six fours.
Nelson Boland then lashed a brave, unbeaten 32 in an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 54 with Hayden Walsh, who scored 19, to guide the Leewards home.
Earlier, Barbados resuming on 146 for seven, eventually declared on 177 for eight, with wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich continuing his rich vein of form with 47 not out, made in 85 minutes off 80 balls and eight fours.
Off-spinner Tevin Osbourne claimed three for 48 while pacer Boland had two for 46.
