Banks hit unbeaten 65 for Leewards on opening day

Jan 31, 2009 Sports

But Permaul (4-42) and Bishoo (3-34) give Guyana upper hand

Watched by Umpire Clancy Mack, leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo flights a delivery during his incisive spell after tea against the Leewards in Nevis yesterday. He finished with 3-34.

West Indies player Omari Banks hit a defiant half-century but Guyana’s spinners give their team the upper hand on the opening day of their fourth round match in the West Indies Cricket Board regional four-day first-class cricket tournament yesterday at Grove Park in Nevis.
Banks remained unbeaten on 65 but West Indies under-19 left-arm spinner Veersammy Permaul and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo shared seven wickets as the Leewards folded for 225 after winning the toss and batting.
In the nine overs available before the close, Guyana reached 20 without loss. Debutant Christopher Barnwell is unbeaten on 15 and Shemroy Barrington on two.
The Leewards faltered in perfect batting conditions with each of their top five batsmen getting starts but only Banks carrying on after Runako Morton won the toss.
Shane Jeffers (23), Montcin Hodge (43), Morton (40), Tonito Willette (36), and Banks ensured the Leewards reached a comfortable 184 for four at Tea. After the interval however, the home team lost their last six wickets for 24 runs as Permaul and Bishoo wreaked havoc on the middle and lower order.
Permaul, who always looked dangerous, ended with 4-42, while Bishoo claimed 3-34 including two wickets with successive deliveries.
Earlier, Jeffers and Hodge gave the Leewards a solid start of 41 before the former punched a short delivery from pacer Trevon Garraway, in his first match of the competition, to Barnwell at cover.
Hodge and Test player Morton then confidently carried their team to 98 without further loss at Lunch with Hodge on 39 and the captain on 33.
The Guyanese struck immediately on the resumption with Hodge edging pacer Esuan Crandon to wicketkeeper Derwin Christian with the score on 103. It became 113 for three when Morton was taken at forward short-leg by Shemroy Barrington from the bowling of off-spinner Steven Jacobs, playing for the first time this season.
Willette and Banks then added 58 before the former hit Permaul to Jacobs at mid-on at 171 for four.
Tea was taken with Banks on 34 and Steve Liburd on three and the Leewards very much in the driver’s seat. The Leewards’ innings fell apart on the resumption however, and even though Banks brought up his 50 in 141 minutes, off 93 deliveries with six fours and a six, he alone could not stop the rejuvenated Guyanese.
Liburd (6) was the first to go, caught at silly-mid-off by Barrington off Permaul. Jahmar Hamilton followed bowled by a Bishoo googly without scoring and Akito Willette followed next ball, stumped by Christian after missing a big leg-break.
Gavin Tonge (2) skied Bishoo to Esaun Crandon at mid-off; Anthony Martin (3) was smartly stumped off a Permaul arm-ball, and the innings ended when Tarrick Prince was trapped leg-before-wicket without scoring.
Banks, who passed 50 for the second time this season, batted for 178 minutes, faced 126 balls and struck six fours and two sixes.
Guyana omitted Assad Fudadin and Homchand Pooran as Barnwell made his debut and Jacobs played his first game at this level since 2006. The Leewards left out Austin Richards and Brent DeFreitas from their final XI and gave debuts to Akito Willette and Prince

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