KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Windward Islands staged an intelligent run chase to beat Jamaica by three wickets in their fourth round, Regional Four-Day match here yesterday.
Starting the final day at Sabina Park on 31 without loss in search of 254 for victory, the Windwards were propelled by a top score of 81 from the in-form Sunil Ambris, while Tyrone Theophile chipped in with 30 and Devon Smith, 29.
Once again, Jamaica’s spinners proved relatively ineffective with champion left-arm spinner Nikita Miller grabbing three for 59 and off-spinner Tamar Lambert, two for 37.
The victory gave the Windwards 16 points and propelled them into second in the standings on 45 points, one behind Barbados who beat Trinidad and Tobago by an innings on Sunday.
Jamaica, meanwhile, walked away with three points and lie third on 38 points.
The Windwards suffered an early setback when they lost Theophile at 49 for for one bowled by Miller. Smith failed to hang around as well and departed with the score on 72, leaving the Windwards to rebuild.
When Keddy Lesporis was lbw for to Miller for 19 at 100 for three, the game was still open but a series of small partnerships then put the Windwards ahead.
Ambris put on 63 for the fourth wicket with Romel Currency (22), 28 with Lindon James (15) for the fifth wicket and 31 with captain Sebastien (11) for the sixth wicket.
The 21-year-old Ambris, who got his maiden first class century against Guyana earlier this month, faced 186 balls in just under 4-1/2 hours at the crease and struck eight fours. When he was seventh out at 223, the Windwards still had work to do but Delorn Johnson’s breezy unbeaten 21 settled the issue.
