KINGSTON, Jamaica-THE final day of first round play in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional 4-Day competition saw solid bowling from the Leeward Islands that restricted Barbados and delivered the team six points in the overall standings.
The Leeward Islands began the day at 186/6 and continued to add runs on a partnership between Nevisian Runako Morton and Antiguan Justin Athanaze. The 28-run partnership would be the highlight of the Leewards’ batting yesterday (Jan. 11), as the bottom of the order folded under pressure from Barbados.
Morton top scored for the innings with 89, which was a significant figure as it related to the side’s 216/all out from 115.5 overs.
Barbados took to the crease chasing 224 and had a tough go in the early overs due to a disciplined bowling attack from Leeward Islanders Lionel Baker and Anthony Martin.
Both Baker and Martin picked up two wickets as they tore through the upper order of Dale Richards, Jason Haynes, Kirk Edwards and Ryan Hinds to leave Barbados toiling at 74/4.
Omari Banks kept Barbados on their heels as he bowled Kyle Hope for 19, but a sixth wicket rally by Kevin Stoute prevented the Leeward Islands from being able to finish off the order and gain a full 12-point victory from the match.
Stoute finished the day at 34 after he was caught out on a delivery from Athanaze. Athanaze fought hard in the waning light to secure a full victory for the Leeward Islands, quickly dismissing Patrick Browne for 2, but the match was eventually called after Barbados had reached 158/7 from 84.3 overs.
The draw placed the Leeward Islands in third place overall on six points.
In other regional 4-Day competition, defending champion Jamaica secured a six-wicket victory over the Windward Islands thanks in large part to Nikita Miller picking up seven wickets on the first day of the match.
Meanwhile in Montego Bay, the Combined Colleges & Campuses (CCC) squad delivered a surprising upset against Trinidad & Tobago, who have been touted as one of the favourites in the tournament due to their World Twenty20 Champions League performance last year.
CCC’s 151-run victory was aided greatly by the spin of left-hander Kavesh Kantasingh, who picked up 6 for 55 in the second innings.
Round two of the tournament will commence on Friday (Jan. 15) in the Leeward Islands, with Jamaica taking on the Leewards in St. Kitts, Barbados and CCC facing off in Nevis and Guyana taking on Trinidad & Tobago in Antigua.
The Windward Islands will have a bye for the round.
