FRIENDSHIP, Barbados, CMC – Jamaica’s skipper Oshane Walters bagged a ten-wicket match-haul but his effort was in vain as Leeward Islands held on for a tense draw on the final day of their fourth round of match in the Regional Under-19 Championship yesterday at the Yorkshire Sports Club.
Asked to follow on 286 runs behind, Leewards were perilously placed at 80 for eight when the match ended.
Walters finished with four for 26 to add to his six for 40 from the first innings when the Leewards were bowled out for 104, after resuming on 79 for seven.
All told, the off-spinner claimed ten for 66 from 48.1 overs.
Leewards’ captain Akeem Saunders made a patient 47 that kept the defending champions winless but ensured that his side avoided defeat.
Batting at number three, he was in for 151 minutes, faced 147 deliveries with four fours and one six. He was seventh out caught off Walters.
At tea, the Leewards had reached 34 for one but afterwards wickets fell at regular intervals.
Off-spinner Tezwayne Creary (4-18) dislodged Ashawn Hodge for one and also accounted for Colin Archibald who was lbw for one after being promoted in the order.
Shawn Tuitt gave a simple catch to Tristan Coleman off Walters who also removed Deno Baker and Dymo Parris both for one.
With defeat beckoning, Leachim Phipps (2) and Tristan Hanley (0) successfully battled out the remaining 15 balls.
Earlier, wet run-ups caused delayed the start by 80 minutes and after some early resistance, the Leewards were bowled out in their first innings just after the luncheon interval.
Hodge, on nine and Phipps, yet to score, saw their side to lunch at 92 without being parted but on resumption, fast bowler James McDonald uprooted Phipps’ middle stump with one that kept a trifle low. He made five.
Walters picked up his fifth wicket when Hodge was caught at square-leg from a top-edged sweep for a patient 17.
He batted for 144 minutes and faced 124 balls without getting a boundary.
Walters picked up his sixth wicket when he removed Alzarri Joseph for ten.
