NORTH SOUND – Leon Johnson marked his debut in the shortest version of cricket with a vital, unbeaten 37, helping Guyana to a five-wicket victory over the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Twenty20 Tournament on Monday.
Johnson struck two fours and two sixes from 32 balls, as the Guyanese put a dispute about the running of the affairs of the game back home behind them to successfully chase 135 for victory in the second match of the tournament at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
The left-hander shared a vital 46 for the fifth wicket with his captain Christopher Barnwell that put the Guyanese firmly on course for victory.
Before that stand they were wobbling on 69 for four after the experienced Shiv Chanderpaul was out for a breezy 30 with four sixes.
Earlier, the Leewards got into difficulty on 99 for six in the 18th over before Justin Athanaze hit three sixes in the top score of 30 not out from just 15 balls, giving them a competitive 134 for six from their allocation of 20 overs.
West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo had his figures spoiled by Athanaze when he conceded three sixes in his final over, the last of the innings, which cost 22.
The 24-year-old Johnson said he felt really great helping to win a match for Guyana to give the team a good start in the tournament.
“It is always good to get a chance to play for Guyana and as this was my first T20 match for my country I felt really pleased that I could play so well and do the job,” he said.
“Everyone is aware that we faced some challenges before we came to the tournament, but as a team we are focussed on the job of playing cricket for Guyana and winning this tournament for the people of Guyana.”
Meanwhile, West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who topscored with 41 not out, took a vital wicket and held a brilliant catch in the deep in the final over, said he was thrilled that the Windward Islands were able to start with a victory over defending champions Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match.
Windwards batted first and made 129-4 off 20 overs. Trinidad and Tobago were then limited to 118-9 off 20 overs as spinners Garey Mathurin and Shane Shillingford shared five wickets. (CMC)
