Windwards looking to improve standing

The Windwards will be looking to improve their points standings this weekend in Dominica, when the yface leaders Barbados.

The Windwards are last in the points standings with seven points in the six team table of the Carib Cup Cricket Series.{{more}}

But they will have to do without two of their more accomplished players, opener Devon Smith and all rounder Darren Sammy.

Smith is in India with the West Indies team on a four match one day series against the host, while Sammy is out with a hamstring injury, an injury he picked up in the Windwards last match in St.Lucia last weekend.

But the Windwards position was their own undoing as they squandered an opportunity to take first innings against Jamaica in their last outing.

The Windwards at 196 for 4, and needing a further 93 for the six points, were expected to overhaul the total following their good batting display when they posted 394 in their first match against Guyana. A match which ended in a ‘no decision.’

But the familiar tale of a lower order collapse once again manifested itself, orchestrated by fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, the Windwards folded at 251. Lawson bagged 6 for 70.

Sammy (80), Heron Campbell (48) and Hyron Shallow (39) were the main contributors.

Sammy earlier had figures of 4 for 51 in Jamaica’s innings, as Danza Hyatt and Brenton Parchment both hit 76, at the top of the order gave the Jamaicans a good platform before Sammy’s burst.

Tamar Lambert (68), Carlton Baugh (50) and David Bernard Jr (45) hit out as Jamaica reached 293 in their second innings tried to push for an unlikely outright win.

Liam Sebastian 3 for 37 was the pick of the Windwards bowlers. Denis George and Deighton Butler both took two wickets apiece. The home team were 69 for 3, set an improbable 332 to win, when the match was called off. Smith (32) and Andre Fletcher (28) saw the Windwards to safety.

Trailing Barbados going into the third round in joint second place are the Leewards and Jamaica, both on nine points. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago are on eight points.

All teams will be hoping for better weather, as most of the matches in both rounds were affected by rain.