SVG senior cricket squad staves off defeat

St. Vincent and the Grenadines will have to up the all round play in their next match against the power pack Grenada starting today, Friday, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, if they are to push for championship honours in this year’s Windward Islands senior cricket tournament, which is being played here.{{more}}

The home team squandered a position where full points were on the cards, to have to fight to earn a draw against St. Lucia at the same Arnos Vale.

Chasing 212 for victory on the last day of the three day encounter, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was well placed at 140 for 3, but ten minutes of madness had them gripping on to save the match.

Debutantes Donwell Hector and Salvan Browne had laid the foundation for an outright win. Hector made his second half century of the match, 68, and with Browne pacing his innings well, things were looking up for the Vincentians. Then the asylum opened and some bush cricket set in, as three needless run outs moved the score to 147 for 7. First, it was Lauron Francois run out attempting a third run, followed by a direct throw, attempting a sharp single that ended Lynden James’ short stay at the crease. Orlanzo Jackson soon followed by the same route, going for a non existent single, with Browne planted in his crease at the non striker’s end.

Captain Deighton Butler was back in the pavilion Leg Before Wicket, and another debutante Dawnley Grant skied a catch off medium pacer Wendell Roberts.

But Browne and Kenroy Peters came together at 165 for 8, played sensibly to stave off what looked like a certain defeat. Browne, who lived a charmed life, surviving two chances, was left not out on 82 and Peters 17 . Peters survived a confident caught behind appeal with the score at 178, but umpire Goaland Greaves was not swayed by the St. Lucians vociferous shouts. St. Vincent and the Grenadines ended on 192 for 8. Roberts took 2 for 37 and Gary Mathurin 2 for 47.

St. Lucia on the back 70 from their captain Darren Sammy, Kelly Lesporis, 60, and Sergio Feddee, 59, like Hector, hit his second half century of the match, compiled 244 all out, to set the Vincentians their victory target.

Jackson, 4 for 46, and Butler, 3 for 48, were the pick of the Vincentian bowlers.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines won the toss on Monday and elected to field. A decision that seemed correct after the St. Lucians were at one stage 105 for 7, but their lower order rallied to see them through to 192 all out.

The last wicket pair of Wendell Roberts, 34, and Lloyd Clifford, 13, added 47 to give some respectability, after the Vincentian bowlers had demolished the top and middle order. Sergio Feddee made a well compiled 64, which included nine fours. Sammy made 23.

Veteran right arm leg spinner Jackson grabbed 4 for 28, and Butler bagged 3 for 49.

The home team, following a good start, faltered badly to be all out for 225, to establish a small lead of 33.

A second wicket partnership of 54 between Hector and Mc Leon Williams (46) pushed St. Vincent and the Grenadines to 83 for 2. Hector, and Hyron Shallow saw the home team to 143 for 2 at the close of play on the first day. Hector, after completing his maiden half century, did not add to his overnight 51, as the middle order collapsed. It was only wicket keeper James’ 46 not out and Peters’ 27 that added impetus to the host’s batting on the second day. Their demise was crafted by Roberts’ accuracy, and indiscretion by the Vincentian batsmen saw him picking up 5 for 39.(RT)