Windwards trump Regional Super50 Cricket title

The Windward Islands outplayed the Combined Campuses and Colleges by nine wickets to win the Regional Super50 final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados last Sunday night on the Duckworth Lewis method, {{more}}after a lengthy interruption because of rain.

The Windwards, chasing their third regional limited overs title, were set a revised target of 134 from 29 overs in the day/night match, which was played in overcast conditions.

Opener Devon Smith and Johnson Charles declared their intentions early, as they came out blazing. Both featured in an opening stand of 100, before Charles went for 46.

Charles’ knock included six fours and a six from 45 deliveries.

But Smith, who has been the linchpin of the Windwards’ batting this season, top scored with 67 not out, studded with six fours and two sixes off 70 balls, to shepherd his team to its first title since 2000.

The Windwards won their first regional title in 1989.

Earlier, the CCC never got their act going as left arm seamer Kenroy Peters exploited the condition well, snaring 4 for 32 and Shane Shillingord 3 for 29, as they were bowled out for 174 in the 50th over.

The CCC’s captain Kyle Corbin top scored with 46; Nekoli Parris contributed 34 and Shacaya Thomas made 25.

Peters and Smith were joint Man of the Match.

The Windwards, who had three wins and three losses in the preliminary round, met defending champion Jamaica on Friday in the semi-finals at the same venue and came away winners by five wickets.

Jamaica posted 242 for 8 from their 50 overs. Brenton Parchment hit 86; Nkrumah Bonner 74; and David Bernard Jr 32 not out.

Kenroy Peters grabbed 3 for 60; Liam Sebastien – 2 for 43 and Dellorn Johnson – 2 for 48.

But steady batting by Andre Fletcher – 68, Keddy Lesporis – 61 and Devon Smith – 59, buffered the Windwards’ response, as they reached 243 for 5 in the last ball of the 49th over, to set up a meeting with the CCC in the final.

The CCC, the previous day, ousted the much fancied Trinidad and Tobago by 140 runs.

CCC batted first and posted 232 for seven, with Anthony Alleyne falling agonizingly for 99; Nekoli Parris struck 43 and Chadwick Walton chipped in with 25.

Yannick Ottley snared 3 for 37 and Imran Khan took 2 for 37 and Sherwin Ganga had 2 for 39, bowling for Trinidad and Tobago.

But the Trinis were hit by Vincentian fast bowler Keswick Williams, who picked up 3 for 16, while Raymon Reifer had 2 for 11 and Akeem Dewar – 2 for 14, and were humbled out for 92.

Rayad Emrit top scored with 23.

The Windwards are also in the semi-final of the regional four-day competition and meet Barbados in Dominica from May 2 to 5. (RT)