Hosts and defending champions Saint Lucia began the defense of their Windward Islands Senior Men 50-Over Cricket title with a hard-fought 2-wicket victory over Grenada on Wednesday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
Saint Lucia invited Grenada to take first knock, after winning the toss in bright sunlight. The hosts soon enjoyed the fruits of the decision. Seandell Regis in the fourth over was caught by skipper Melius off Dillon John for two, the score 7-1.
Teddy Bishop and Johann Jeremiah stitched together a 52-run partnership, before Bishop was dismissed for 19, 59-2. Darron Nedd was dismissed for 16, 3-82. Jevon Andrew was the fourth wicket to fall at 118, and Jeremiah’s resistance was finally broken at 180; he made 83.
Faced with the possibility of being dismissed for less than 200, skipper Ryan John hit a belligerent 54 not out as Grenada was dismissed for 241 off 46.2 overs. Extras contributed a healthy 26.
Keon Gaston led the damage with 5-42. Good assistance was given by Larry Edward with 2-37, Tyrell Chicot 1-31, Dillan John 1-25, and Johnnel Eugene 1-43.
In Saint Lucia’s reply, Noelle Leo, one of the players at the High Performance Centre slammed an aggressive 71, which contained 7 fours and 2 sixes. His was the third wicket to fall with the score on 129.
The first wicket to fall was that of Kimani Melius for 31 – total 84-1 in over number eight. Stephen Naitram departed for nine – 101-2, Vernilius Gabriel went for one – 132-4. Ackeem Auguste, looking composed and relaxed, was dismissed for 13 – 155-5 in the 23rd over.
Shadrack Descartes and Johnnel Eugene then added 46 for the sixth wicket before both threw their hands away. Descartes went for 26 – 201-6, and Eugene 36 – 217-8. Between them, Keon Gaston went for a duck – 202-7.
Fortunately for Saint Lucia, Tyrell Chicot (23 not out) and Larry Edward (4 not out) ensured that there were no more alarms as the champions reached 245-8 off 34.1 overs. Extras added 24 with Josh Thomas taking 4-71, Darel Cyrus 2-50, Ryan John 1-34, and Preston McSween 1-53. Saint Lucia won by two wickets.
In the other match being played at the Mindoo Phillip Park, St Vincent & the Grenadines beat the Commonwealth of Dominica by 92 runs to go to the top of the table with a superior run rate.
Thursday features a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash at the Daren Sammy Stadium where Saint Lucia will take on St Vincent & the Grenadines. The winner of this match will be in a prime position to claim the title race going into the final day.
Grenada and Dominica will go head-to-head at the Mindoo Philip Park, where a win for either team would be their only chance at silverware.
(RSH)
