FALMOUTH – Jamaica’s recent fickle weather upstaged a half-century from national captain Chris Gayle and steady spin bowling from Nikita Miller and Odean Brown to hand Windward Islands a five-wicket, upset victory when this year’s WICB Regional One-day competition opened yesterday.
Devon Smith was not out on 42 from 58 balls, as Windwards reached 85 for five in 20 overs, when rain interrupted their chase for a second time in their opening match at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.
Under the Duckworth-Lewis Method, which determines targets in rain-affected matches, the Windwards were ahead of the target of 75, much to the disappointment of the Jamaicans, following a typical collapse from their opponents triggered by Miller and Brown.
Left-arm spinner Miller ended with two wickets for eight runs from four overs, and Brown captured two for ten from three overs.
The embattled Gayle had struck four fours and four sixes in 58 from 38 balls, after he retired early in his innings with a twisted ankle to lead Jamaica to 223 for five from their 50 overs, after they chose to bat.
He added 84 – unbroken – for the sixth wicket with Carlton Baugh Jr, and played some enterprising strokes to beef-up his side’s innings, after they had wobbled to 139 for five.
Gayle reached his 50 from 37 balls off the penultimate ball of the innings with his third six off Windwards captain Darren Sammy over deep mid-wicket, and celebrated with a powerful straight hit for his final six.
Tamar Lambert scored 38, Danza Hyatt made 36, Baugh got 24, and Marlon Samuels added 23 for Jamaica.
Sammy was his side’s most successful bowler with two for 44 from nine overs.
Smith and Johnson Charles started the Windwards’ chase confidently before the rain interrupted them with the total on 65 without loss in the 15th over.
Play did not resume until two hours later, with Windwards set a revised target of 113 from 25 overs, meaning they needed 48 more runs from ten overs. (CMC)
