An impressive unbeaten knock of 208 from Ackeem Auguste paced Saint Lucia to a total of 427-9 in the Windward Islands Cricket Board Men’s Super 50 final, handing them victory over Dominica. Saint Lucia won by 182 runs over the defending champions on Saturday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
Weeks away from his 22nd birthday, Auguste remained a terror for the bowlers from the Nature Isle. Last year, he hit 308 in a three-day Under-23 match at Mindoo Phillip Park. This time around, he faced 133 balls, finding or clearing the boundary 30 times. He hit 16 fours and 14 sixes.
Auguste shared a 52-run opening partnership with captain Kimani Melius, then a 132-run second-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Noelle Leo. Leo made 70 and Melius 40 to give the home team a strong foundation, reaching 182-4 in the 27th over.
Johnnel Eugene’s departure without scoring did little to slow the scoring rate. Shadrack Descarte went for 29 from 30, and Jaden Elibox 33 from 21, inclusive of three sixes. Tarrique Edward and Keon Gaston added just five and two, respectively, but fast bowler McKenny Clarke played a delightful cameo, 15 runs from just five balls, including two sixes.
Dominica used seven bowlers, all of whom came in for harsh treatment. Gilon Tyson ended with four wickets, but he also gave up 77 runs from his 10 overs. Kurtney Anselm yielded 46 runs from his four overs, Jedd Joseph 68 from seven, and Vincent Lewis 63 from seven, albeit with two scalps.
Dominica had beaten Saint Lucia in their final round-robin match on Thursday, behind a strong batting performance. They were off to a quick start in pursuit of the massive total set by Saint Lucia, getting to 40 runs from the first four overs. Stephan Pascal went for 21 from 12, dismissed by Shawnil Edward. Kaven Hodge joined opener Jerlani Robinson to add 34 in 23 balls, but McKenny Clarke got Hodge for 11.
The introduction of spin stymied the Dominicans. Tahj Tavernier fell to Jaden Elibox for 14 from 21 at the end of the 14th over. Earsinho Fontaine followed 15 balls later, bowled by Dornan Edward for two.
That brought in Benjamin, the hero of the previous game, where he had scored 120. This time, he put on 32 with Robinson, before the opener finally departed for 75 from 70. Along with Jedd Joseph, Benjamin put on 55 runs for the sixth wicket. Their 44-ball union ended when Joseph was taken by Tarrique Edward for a run-a-ball 21.
The Edwards had taken over. Dornan got Vincent Lewis for 11. Tarrique ended Benjamin’s resistance for 51. Dornan took Gilon Tyson for 20. And Tarrique, who had earlier left the field with a hand injury, ended the Dominica innings with the wicket of Kurtney Anselm. Dominica were all out for 245 in 37.5 overs.
Saint Lucians dominated statistically. Auguste finished with 346 runs at a strike rate of 146, and an average of 115.30. Dominica’s Benjamin and Robinson made 221 and 197 runs in their four matches. Noelle Leo was the 10th leading batter, with 131 runs.
Despite going wicketless in the final, Keon Gaston topped the bowling tables. The young man from Mon Repos captured 12 scalps at an economy rate of 12.75, followed by Dominica’s Gilon Tyson with nine, and Shawnil Edward with eight. Jaden Elibox took seven.
Among outfielders, Ackeem Auguste and Kavem Hodge led with five catches and a runout each. Johnnel Eugene, Tarrique Edward, Keon Gaston, and Tyrel Chicot each effected three dismissals for the victors. Leo was the top wicketkeeper, with nine dismissals behind the stumps.
