Defending champions Saint Lucia, led by an all-round performance from Shadrack Descartes, handed perennial rivals St Vincent & the Grenadines a three-wicket defeat at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Thursday in the Windward Islands Senior Men 50-Over Tournament.
There was also good support with the bat from Ackeem Auguste and Vernillius Gabriel, which ensured the hosts jumped to the top of the leaderboard.
Earlier in the day, having won the toss, St Vincent & the Grenadines decided to take first strike and reached 199-8 off 40 overs. Their innings was held up by skipper Sunil Ambris with 81, Dillon Douglas 45, and Kenneth Denbar 19. Wednesday centurion Desron Maloney only managed 12, with Asif Hooper 11.
The rest of the Vincentian batting looked like an area code of single digit scores, and extras contributed 15. But it was 26-year-old Descartes who stole the show with the ball, taking 4-36 from eight overs.
Giving able support was Dillan John 2-43, Larry Edward 1-26, and Keon Gaston 1-36.
In response, Saint Lucia was in early trouble, as Kimani Melius was dismissed by Rayon Williams, then Noelle Leo fell to Asif Hooper’s military left-arm spin. Each added one run, and the score was 18-2.
It was soon 52-3, when Stephen Naitram went for 16. But former West Indies Under-19 captain Auguste partnered with Gabriel to add 64 runs before the pair fell within two runs of one other.
Gabriel went to Keron Cottoy for 36, and Auguste to Ambris for 40. But they had taken the score to 118-5, still with 82 needed for victory. As the pendulum swung in the Vincentians’ favour, up stepped Descartes again. His 36-ball knock of 52 included four sixes and three fours. He took fight out of the Vincentians, ensuring Saint Lucia could enjoy what was ultimately a comfortable three-wicket victory.
By the time Rayon Williams engineered a catch off his bat, it was just too late. The damage had been done and the match had been won by the defending champions. Keon Gaston and Tyrel Chicot were 15 and eight not out at the end, as Saint Lucia reached 203-7 off 36 overs, with 23 extras.
Rayon Williams finished with 2-54, Hooper 1-22, Kenneth Denbar 1-29, and Ambris 1-31. (RSH)
Where are all the proud lucians