PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten, (CMC) - Tight Windward Islands bowling smothered the Leeward Islands on the rain-hit opening day of their fifth round Carib Beer Series match at the Carib Lumber Ground yesterday.
More than half of the day’s play was lost because of rain and the Leewards, electing to bat, had reached 82 for two when bad light sent the players off the field at 4.50 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time.
Shane Jeffers (24) and Tonito Willett (7) were the not out batsmen on a very windy day at the Carib Lumber Ground, on debut as a first-class venue.
Rain and a wet outfield prevented play until 1.45 p.m., and opening batsmen Jeffers and Alex Adams played steadily to go to the tea break at 59 without loss.
They batted cautiously immediately after the break, but in-form medium pacer Darren Sammy broke the partnership -- at 68 for one -- when he had vice-captain Adams (40) caught by Fernix Thomas, running back at mid-on after the Anguillan had lofted the ball high.
The Leewards, without a win so far this season, quickly dipped to 71 for two when Sylvester Joseph and Jeffers were engaged in a misunderstanding, resulting in Joseph being run-out for one.
Joseph set off for a single after stroking the ball into the offside and could not beat Rommel Currency’s throw to wicketkeeper Lindon James as he scrambled to return to his crease.
Sammy boasts current figures of one for seven off four overs, while pacer Cameron Cuffy, none for 12 off eight, leg-spinner and captain Rawl Lewis, one for five off six overs, and pacer Deighton Butler, none for five off three overs, also produced economic spells.
LEEWARDS 1st innings
A.Adams c Thomas b Sammy 40
S.Jeffers not out 24
S.Joseph run-out 1
T.Willett not out 7
Extras: (lb-1, nb-9) 10
Total’ (for 2 wickets) 82
Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-71.
Bowling: Cuffy 8-3-12-0 (nb-3), Thomas 5-0-22-0 (nb-1), Sammy 4-1-7-1 (nb-1), Lewis 6-2-5-0 (nb-2), Shillingford 6-1-30-0 (nb-2), Butler 3-1-5-0.