GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Windward Islands batted disappointing to concede first innings points but their bowlers hit back to stun Leeward Islands late yesterday and put them on course for the 2010 TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge title.
Chasing 226 to at least secure first innings, the Windwards folded for 210 but fast bowler Bronte Bess (3-8) and off-spinner Rudolph Paul (3-41) then carved through innings to reduce the Leewards to 103 for nine at the close.
Trailing overall by just 119 runs, championship leaders Windwards will be backing themselves to grab full points on the last day today at the Beausejour Cricket Stadium.
Resuming from an overnight 70 for two, the day started disastrously for the Windwards when overnight batsman Emmanuel Peter was caught behind off fast bowler Damian Williams in the day’s first over without adding to his four.
Williams also induced the experienced Kavem Hodge to flirt with one outside the off stump in his next over to be caught at Akeem Saunders at slip for eight and Rudolph Paul fell to a catch by Darren Benta, also off Williams for five. Struggling at 117 for six, the Windwards were revived by a 90-run seventh wicket stand between captain Audy Alexander and his St Lucian counterpart Kurt Edward.
Alexander hammered eight fours in scoring 66 off 82 balls in 105 minutes at the crease before he was run out attempting a sharp single to cover, while Edward finished unbeaten on 44 from 128 balls with four fours.
Alexander’s dismissal at 207 for seven brought a swift end to the Windwards innings, as they lost their last four wickets for three runs to be dismissed short of their target.
The Leewards’ second innings followed a familiar pattern, losing wickets at regular intervals. Left handed opener Jamal Fernandez was leg before wicket to Bess in the first over of the innings without scoring with the total on two and was followed quickly by fellow opener Benta who also perished for no score one run later.
Shane Burton with 27, captain Rakeem Cornwall with 25 and Akeem Saunders 18 have been the only batsmen to reach double figures.
