KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Devon Smith’s 19th first class century was not enough to prevent Windward Islands from crashing to an 81-run, defeat inside three days as Jamaica emphatically started the defence of their Regional Four-Day Championship title here yesterday.
The left-handed Smith stroked 103 but the Windwards, set 320 for victory at Sabina Park, were dismissed for 238 with left-arm spinner Nikita Miller taking three for 65 and West Indies fast-bowling all-rounder Andre Russell claiming three for 16.
Earlier Jamaica, resuming the penultimate day on 262 for seven, were dismissed for 298 with Russell getting 29.
Resurgent West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford claimed six for 75 while pacer Nelon Pascal got three for 76.
The Windwards started their run chase poorly, losing batsmen steadily to be struggling at lunch at 49 for four.
Johnson Charles slashed fast bowler Andrew Richardson to captain Tamar Lambert at gully to perish for two at 10 for one and Keddy Lesporis followed soon after, lbw to Miller for eight at 24 for two.
Liam Sebastien (11) was caught and bowled by off-spinner Chris Gayle (2-51) before Dalton Polius was trapped in front by Miller, to leave the Windwards on 40 for four.
Smith, unbeaten on 23 at lunch, lost Garey Mathurin (2) to a catch at cover off Gayle as the Windwards plunged towards defeat at 49 for five.
However, the Windies batsman showed all his experience to stroke 12 fours and a six in an innings lasting 245 balls, to spare the Windwards embarrassment.
Surviving a chance to Miller at slip off Gayle when 30, he put on 39 for the sixth wicket with Andre Fletcher (21) and then mounted a valiant 85-run, seventh wicket stand with wicketkeeper Lyndon James who got 39.
James hit three fours and faced 87 balls before he was run out but Smith carried on, sweeping Miller for four to move into the 90s before bringing up his landmark with another boundary through cover point.
He eventually misjudged a full delivery from Russell (3-16) and was bowled, to set off Jamaica’s victory
celebrations.
