BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WHILE the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis was celebrating its 30th Independence Anniversary yesterday (Sept 19), son of the soil Kieran Powell was in India busy captaining West Indies A team to victory over India A.
Nevisian Powell chipped in with 40 runs, as he played a big part in an opening stand of 74 with Andre Fletcher, to lay a solid foundation for the Caribbean side’s innings.
Man of the Match Kirk Edwards made a classic run-a-ball 104 – comprising 12 fours and three sixes – as the Windies posted 312 for 9 off their allotted 50 overs at the M Chinnasammy Stadium.
Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul collected three wickets for 55 runs and pacer Miguel Cummins got two wickets for 46 to limit the strong Indian batting line-up to 267-8 off 50 overs.
The victory marked a remarkable performance for the Windies as they clinched the series 2-1 after losing the first game and winning the second in the three-match series.
Speaking after the game, captain Powell commended his team’s effort.
“We played well and we deserved to win. It was definitely a total team effort...everyone played a part at some point in the game to get us over the line which was satisfying.
“When we came on this tour we were all excited and believed we could win. We got used to the conditions very quickly and performed well as a unit.
“After the first game, we got to observe the Indians and we strategised and came out and executed our plans brilliantly.”
Powell was also full of praise for Edwards.
“He gave himself a chance to bat deep into the innings. He knew that if he did so he would go on to get a century. He did it and the other guys batted around him to get us to a winning score.”
He also commended the team’s coach and support staff.
“I must say congrats to the coach [Junior Bennett] and the support staff for the work they put in and the help they offered. He [Bennett] gave everyone the support and belief needed to go out and express ourselves and play out natural game.”
India A won the opening match by 77 runs on Sunday while West Indies rebounded to win the second contest by 55 runs on Tuesday.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow (Sept. 21) in the Twenty20 format.
