Leewards upset Barbados by 62 runs

Nov 18, 2008 Sports

Join T&T as President’s cup leaders after three matches

By Sean Devers
On the back of a Man-of-the-Match bowling performance from Omari Banks, the Leeward Islands upset Barbados by 62 runs at Uitvlugt yesterday to join Trinidad and Tobago at the top of the points table with 11 points after three matches in the 2008 President’s Cup regional One-Day cricket series in Guyana.

The Islanders recovered from 66-4 to reached 172 all out off the last ball of their 50th over and then dismissed Barbados for 110 in 31.2 overs to claim an important bonus point in the nine-team competition with one preliminary round game remaining for them.

Asked to bat first on a slow, two-paced track which assisted the spinners, the Leewards were helped by a 44-run seventh wicket partnership between pacer Gavin Tonge (26) and Orlando Peters (9) and a 54-run ninth wicket stand between off-spinner Justin Athanaze (30) and pacer Chad Hampson (24) as Barbados let their early advantage slip from their grip in sweltering heat.

Austin Richards (17), who looked in an ultra aggressive mood on a track which restricted free-flowing stroke-play, edged a catch to the keeper off left-arm pacer Pedro Collins at 23-1 while Skipper Runako Morton (7) was bowled by fast bowler Tino Best at 41-2 on a heavy outfield.

Three wickets then tumbled in three balls as Banks (8) was run out and medium pacer Dwayne Smith (2-28) removed West Indies under-19 opener Keiron Powell (23) and Wildon Cornwall (0) in successive balls as the Leewards, who last won the title 11 years ago when they beat Guyana in the 1997 final in Jamaica, slumped to 57-5 in 19 overs.

When West Indies youth player Devon Thomas (9) was taken at short cover off left-arm spinner Ryan Hinds at 66-6, the fair size crowd was anticipating an easy Barbados victory.

However, the lower order displayed great grit and determination as Tonge, who hit two fours in his 52-ball innings, joined Peters (who took 33 balls for his nine) to take the score to 110 before leg-spinner Nikolai Charles bowled Tonge.

Charles, who finished with 2-29 from five overs to follow up his 4-39 on debut on Friday, then removed Peters at 115-8 as an efficient looking Barbados outfit looked very impressive in the field.

Athanaze and Hampson ensured the tail wagged and by the time Hampson was run out at 169-9 in the final over, the repair job by the lower order had been completed against a team which looked increasingly frustrated as the Leeward Island’s bowlers defied their attack.

Without a title since 2002, Barbados were quickly wobbling on the ropes at 19-4 as reckless running resulted in Patrick Browne (2) being run out at 3-1, while impetuous shot selection and impressive bowling combined to orchestrate the demise of Dale Richards (7), Ryan Hinds (8) and Jonathan Carter (0).

Hampson had Hinds caught by Anthony Martin at slip off a rebound from the Keeper’s gloves while the 26-year-old Banks, the only Anguillan to play Test cricket, sent back Richards; caught off an irresponsible slog-sweep, and bowled a bemused Carter behind his back in school boyish fashion.

Banks then bowled Kenroy Williams (7) as he made room to cut a big-turning off-break at 49-5 and the Leewards were back in the fray.

Dwayne Smith, who struck three fours and two sixes in his 44-ball 32, struck Banks for a four and a six in one over and tried desperately to lead a Barbados fight back against the ‘pumped up’ Leeward Islands unit.

However when Smith was well taken at slip by Martin off Banks at 78-6 and Alcindo Holder (15) and Best (12) were removed by Athanaze (2-6) and Martin (2-12) respectively with the score on 102, the Leeward Islands fans were already celebrating.

Martin then bowled Skipper Corey Collymore for one in the 32nd over to spark wild celebrations for the Islanders who play the Windward Islands tomorrow in their final preliminary round game. Barbados take on the Windwards in a crucial encounter today in their final round match-up.

Barbados were again without their skipper Jason Haynes due to a slit webbing but according to the opener if Barbados advance to this weekend’s ‘final four’ he will be available. The Leewards were also without Tonito Willett due to illness.

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