The Windward Islands grabbed a 14-run first innings against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) as 17 wickets fell on the opening day of their first round Headley-Weekes match at the Three Ws Oval today.
Sent in, the CCC were routed for a paltry 131 in 50.5 overs and at the close, the Windwards, despite gaining first innings honours, slackened their grip on the match as they struggled to an unsatisfactory 145 for seven with only their bowlers left to bat.
Middle order batsman Keddy Lesporis has so far topscored for the Windwards with an attacking 41, adorned with three fours and two sixes off 47 balls while Andre Fletcher, who hit six fours and Johnson Charles, with five boundaries, contributed 30 and 28 respectively.
Leg-spinning allrounder Nkrumah Bonner, whose 27, was the highest score by a CCC batsman, won two leg before wicket appeals just before the close against Lesporis and Garey Mathurin, both upheld by Barbadian umpire Gregory Brathwaite, standing in his maiden regional first-class match.
Off-spinner Ryan Austin also claimed two wickets for 52 runs in 15 overs, having Charles caught on the second attempt at leg slip by Romel Currency and bowling Windward Islands’ captain Liam Sebastien around his legs for 17.
The Windwards did not help their cause as wicketkeeper Lyndon James for a patient 12 in the day’s final over.
Earlier, the CCC struggled to 73 for five, before they were finally dismissed 25 minutes before the scheduled tea break.
Sebastien was the Windwards’ most successful bowler, taking three for
17 with his off breaks while left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters and debutant leg-spinner Keron Cottoy both claimed two wickets for 21 and
30 runs respectively.
Coach/player Floyd Reifer contributed 24 while CCC captain Omar Phillips (19) and Kjorn Ottley (14) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
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