ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) - Devon Smith hit his fourth hundred for the season to take Windward Islands to first innings points over West Indies-B in their final preliminary round match of the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series yesterday.
Smith almost single-handedly dominated the opposition bowling with a typically enterprising 154 that took Windwards to 292 for five, replying to the B-Team’s first innings total of 197, when stumps were drawn on the second day at Queen’s Park Stadium.
The diminutive left-hander from the Spice Isle moved his tally of runs for the season to 788 with an innings of character that has virtually cemented the Windwards’ place in the semifinals of the Championship for the first time, since a two-tiered format was introduced three years ago.
Smith, whose stroke-play draws comparisons to the late, great, former West Indies batting maestro Roy Fredericks, spent 6¼ hours at the crease to smite 16 fours from 253 balls.
He shared in two partnerships that provided the backbone for the Windwards’ innings. He had a century stand with his regular opening partner Romel Currency and a half-century stand with Craig Emmanuel.
Smith and Currency endured a difficult morning period after Windwards continued from their bedtime position of 36 without loss. The two, however, battled through to carry the home team to 95 without loss at lunch.
After the interval, the shackles were loosened and Smith and the Windwards made rapid progress.
By the time tea had arrived, Smith had reached his milestone and Windwards were 189 for two.
They lost Currency caught hitting out off off-spin bowler Ryan Austin for 38 after he shared 114 with Smith, and Emmanuel caught behind off part-time off-spin bowler Kenroy Williams for 20, after a stand of 68 for the second wicket with Smith.
After the break, Windwards were on the brink of the lead when Kenroy Martin was caught behind off Jason Bennett for eight with the scores level, but Smith and Sergio Fedee took them past before Smith was caught close to the wicket off Austin.
Dwight Washington added the wicket of Fedee caught close to the wicket for 18 much to the delight of the B-team.
WEST INDIES-B 1st innings 197 (A. Richards 74; S. Shillingford 4-50)
WINDWARD ISLANDS 1st innings (o/n 36 without loss)
D. Smith c Haynes b Austin 154
R. Currency c Mahabir b Austin 38
C. Emmanuel c wkpr Ramdass b Williams 20
K. Martin c wkpr Ramdass b Bennett 8
S. Fedee c Haynes b Washington 18
R. Lewis not out 36
D. Sammy not out 9
Extras: (b-5, lb-1, w-1, nb-2) 9
Total: (5 wkts) 292
Fall of wickets: 1-114, 2-182, 3-197, 4-235, 5-271.
Bowling: Washington 16-8-30-1, Bennett 20-5-51-1, Williams 11-0-47-1, Austin 37-8-91-2, George 14-0-50-0, Hyatt 2-0-7-0, Findlay 1-0-10-0.