DENNERY, St. Lucia, CMC – A half-century from Kwame Crosse, followed by a penetrative spell from their captain Amir Khan put Guyana on course for victory over Leeward Islands in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge yesterday.
Khan collected three for 25 from nine overs, as Leewards, trailing by 62 runs on first innings, reached 73 for five in their second innings at the close on the second day of their first round match at Dennery Playing Field.
Crosse had hit an unbeaten 74 to anchor Guyana to 203, replying to Leeward Islands’ first innings total of 141.
Hayden Walsh Jr was the most successful Leewards’ bowler with three wickets for 51 runs from 13.4 overs.
Adelvin Phillips and Tevin Osbourne collected two wickets apiece. Leewards then made a steady start before Khan put them in a spin. He had Nordel Lake and Shane Burton both caught in the outfield for five and two respectively, to leave his opponents 28 for two.
Akeem Saunders joined Darren Benta, and they diligently added 38 before the Leewards were rocked by three wickets in the final half-hour.
Saunders was run out for 21, Benta was caught off Khan for the top score so far of 40, and Anthony Adams gave Guyana a thrilling end to the day, when he had Rakeem Cornwall caught for one.
Earlier, Guyana made hay while the rain stayed away, with just over an hour possible before lunch, and only the final session available to them.
The Guyanse resumed from their overnight total of 133 for six, and reached 161 for seven, when rain stopped play about 50 minutes before lunch.
Overnight partner Andre Stoll remained long enough to take Guyana level before he was caught off Leewards’ captain and new-ball bowler Adelvin Phillip for 33.
The players did not get back onto the field until after the scheduled tea break, and the Guyanese conceded cheap wickets to Walsh in chasing quick runs.
Crosse remained unflappable however, and struck 12 boundaries in his knock, and shared a valuable last-wicket stand of 39 with Khan that beefed-up Guyana’s total and boosted their lead. Walsh then brought the innings to a close, when he trapped Khan lbw for 18.
