THE VALLEY, Anguilla, (CMC) - Sylvester Joseph and Stuart Williams both stroked hundreds and propelled the Leeward Islands in an upbeat response to Kenya’s massive total on the third day of their second round Carib Beer Series encounter at the Ronald Webster Park, yesterday.
Replying to Kenya’s first innings 564, the Leewards closed at 470 for four, with Joseph not out on 143 and Carl Tuckett on 42.
Williams, the all-time leading scorer in regional first-class cricket, smashed a shot-filled 105 and shared in a 162-run fourth-wicket stand with Joseph as the Africans toiled all day for only two wickets.
Resuming on 167 for two, overnight batsmen Joseph and Tonito Willett were watchful and defiant.
Using his slow bowlers Maurice Odumbe, Collins Obuya and Francis Otieno to suppress the run flow, Kenya’s captain Steve Tikolo had no wicket success but allowed the Leewards only 69 runs in the morning session.
The 25-year-old Joseph, who has represented the West Indies in four One-Day International (ODI) matches, achieved his fifty off 117 balls in 150 minutes during the pre-lunch period, while stroking seven boundaries.
A 78-run third-wicket stand between Joseph and Willett ended after lunch when the Nevisian pushed tentatively at a leg-cutter from Otieno and was caught by wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma for 38.
Captain Williams joined the Antiguan Joseph and the run-rate quickened as both batsmen got on top of the bowling and reached milestones before the tea break.
Joseph, driving and pulling with authority, completed a patient century off 242 balls in 333 minutes with nine fours, and ex-Test opener Williams rushed to his fifty with eight boundaries.
From a tea-time position of 346 for three, the Leewards piled up a further 124 runs before the close.
Williams dominated the post-tea session and celebrated his 24th first-class century off 142 balls in 171 minutes.
The 34-year-old Nevisian, who played 31 Tests and 57 ODIs for the West Indies, hit 14 boundaries and was run-out shortly after achieving his century.
He set off for a quick single that was not there when Joseph stroked a ball to backward point, and failed in his effort to get back ahead of the throw to his non-striker’s end.
Joseph has so far counted 11 fours, and a six -- dancing down the pitch to off-spinner Odumbe and clearing the boundary with a lofted straight drive.
Tuckett and Joseph have posted 69 runs for the fifth wicket so far, and the Leewards need another 95 runs on today’s final day to secure first innings points in the draw-bound encounter.
KENYA 1st innings 564 (M.Odumbe 207; W.Cornwall 3-132)