Guyana lose KFC opener despite Crandon’s debut ton
Guyana Chronicle
January 10, 2007
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) – An attractive unbeaten 126-run fifth wicket partnership between Liam Sebastian and skipper Rawle Lewis spearheaded the Windward Islands to an emphatic six-wicket victory over defending KFC Cup champions Guyana yesterday.
Watched by a large crowd at the Tanteen Recreational ground, Windwards cantered to 256 for four off 49 overs after a superb century from Royston Crandon had spurred Guyana to 254 for seven off their allotted 50 overs.
Sebastian, who arrived at the crease with the score on 96 for three in the 19th over, smashed an unbeaten 72 from 93 balls with six fours while Lewis’ unbeaten 54 came from 47 balls and included two fours and three towering sixes.
The duo joined forces with the score on 140 for four in the 32nd over when Darren Sammy was brilliantly caught on the long-on boundary by Azeemul Haniff for 49, and proceeded to dominate the Guyana attack.
Opener Devon Smith who smashed seven fours in an explosive 59-ball 49 and Andre Fletcher, who clobbered four fours in a 12-ball 21, had earlier put together 52 for the first wicket in just six overs to set the foundation for the victory.
Only off-spinner Deon Ferrier with two for 43 fared well against the Windwards batting.
Earlier, Guyana’s innings was based on Crandon’s 101 after the visitors had been asked to bat on a flat track and a fast outfield.
After starting slowly and then surviving a chance to skipper Rawle Lewis at cover off Denis George when 38, Crandon’s innings blossomed nicely.
The 23-year-old clobbered left-arm spinner Ronald Etienne for his sixth boundary to reach his fifty from 79 balls and then celebrated with two more straight sixes off Sebastian although the first one went through the hands of Deighton Butler at long-off when 75.
The impressive Crandon reached his century from 129 balls with eight boundaries before he was run out with the score on 182 in the 42nd over.
Crandon got support from captain Narsingh Deonarine who hit 54 while Travis Dowlin stroked 42.
Kenroy Peters was the Windwards best bowler with three for 56.