Nixon McLean: A boost to South Windward

Reynold McLean, South Windward’s cricket captain, attributes his team’s triumph to “all round team effort.”

“Every body capable of batting and bowling,” he said last Wednesday. That was just after his team’s four wicket win over Marriaqua. {{more}}

South Windward cruised to 119 for 6, off 22.5 overs, to seal the victory. West Indies speedster Nixon McLean, 32 not, out was the backbone of the team’s batting.

Reynold McLean 24 helped to lay the foundation. Reynold however, had commendations for the entire team, but was overt with praises to Nixon whom he said bolstered the bowling and propped up the lower order batting line up. Nixon’s presence was vital in a sixth wicket partnership with Jerome Dick 17. They put on 35, when at 78 for 5 Marriaqua must have entertained hopes of creating an upset.

Reynold also looked at the balance of his team, with former Windwards opener Dawnley Joseph in the line up.

Joey welcome, a former Under-15 player, also came in for kudos as the motivator of the squad. “He inspires the guys when we are down.”

Reynold named all his players for their contribution, including former Under-19 player Jerome Dick and Basil Andrews a South Windward stalwart. And with support from manager Vincent Benjamin, and Dave Stapleton, interest in south Windward was always high.

Walford Ambris, 3 for 39, was the pick of the Marriaqua bowling.

Marriaqua’s total seemed inadequate, having crawled to 116 for 8, off 35 overs. The number was reduced from the original 50.

Jerome Samuel 28 was the leading batsman for Marriaqua. Kissinger McLean 3 for 10, and Reynold McLean and Khrisna DaSilva 2 for 18 combined to contain the innings.

The match came off at Arnos Vale watched by a handful of spectators.

South Windward beat North Leeward while Marriaqua disposed of South Central Leeward.

The South Windward victory gave them the 2004 Hairoun Beer Zonal Independence Cricket Competition for the first time. This is the sixth year the competition has been going on. North Leeward and Central Windward won twice, with North Windward the other.