ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Leon Johnson stroked a half-century as Guyana made the most of the rain-hit opening day of their first round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship match against Leeward Islands here yesterday.
The 24-year-old left-hander hit 52 to help steer Guyana to 162 for four at the close, after overnight rain left wet spots on the outfield at Windsor Park and delayed the start by just over an hour.
Johnson, who played three one-dayers for West Indies nearly four years ago, put on 76 for the third wicket with out-of-favour Test batsman Narsingh Deonarine who got 49.
Chris Barnwell was unbeaten on 20 at the close and was partnered by Assad Fudadin on nine.
Seamer Gavin Tonge has been the best bowler for the Leewards, taking three for 41.
Sent in to bat, Guyana lost Sewnarine Chattergoon (4) cheaply with the score on eight, as he became the first of Tonge’s victims.
Johnson then added a crucial 47 for the second wicket with opener Rajendra Chandrika (12) before mounting his big effort with Deonarine.
He was positive in his stroke-play, smashing West Indies leg-spinner Anthony Martin over cover for six, but remained diligent to reach his half-century off 132 balls in just over three hours at the crease.
Both he and Deonarine fell in the final session for the addition of just five runs as Tonge struck two lethal blows to leave Guyana on 136 for four.
However, Barnwell and Fudadin combined in an unbroken 36-run, fifth wicket stand to see Guyana to the safety of the close.
