Windwards falls to CCC; Sebastian hopeful

Manager of the Windwards Senior Cricket Team, Dominican Lockhart Sebastian wants his team to at least remain in second place in the seven team West Indies Cricket Board(WICB) regional four day competition.{{more}}

The Windwards after nine matches have won five and lost four.

“In order for us to stay second, we need to pick up points”, the former Windwards opening batsman told SEARCHLIGHT last Tuesday night.

The Windwards on 60 points, stumbled last weekend against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in their quest to stay in touching distance with leaders, Jamaica.

“We came here with the expectations of getting full points, but we did not bat well and our fielding was below par and we faltered”, Sebastian said.

Sebastian thought that the absence of all rounder Darren Sammy affected the balance of the team, but said: “We have to play with who we have”.

The Windwards’ Manager wants to get some of the prospective points when they meet Trinidad and Tobago from this Friday, also at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Sebastian, though, wants the WICB to continue with the two rounds of matches as, according to him, “it will benefit West Indies Cricket. I think it is a good move.”

The WICB decided this year to have the teams play each other twice, on a home and away format.

The Windwards crashed to a 156 run defeat at the hands of the CCC on Monday last at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Set 301 to win, the Windwards were bowled out for 145, just before one pm that day, to hand the struggling CCC their second outright win.

Rawle Lewis top scored with 34; Shane Shilingford made 31. The damage was done by fast bowler Kevin McClean who finished with 4 for 31 and off-spinner Ryan Austin 3 for 42. Left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh took 2for 39.

The CCC, led by veteran player Floyd Reifer’s 129, and Kurt Wilkinson’s 34, reached 278, when they batted first. Shillingford was once again the pick of the bowlers, with 4 for 62.

The Windwards, in reply, reached 160. Keddy Lesporis was the topscorer with 27, Alston Bobb 25 and Linden James 24, as Wilkinson took 4 for 45, Ryan Austin 3 for 28 and Anderson Sealey 2 for 26.

Batting a second time, the CCC declared at 183 for 8. Omar Phillips made 54 and Reifer, 53. Shillingford, 4 for 39, to push his tally of wickets to 44.

Also run away leaders Jamaica whipped Barbados by a massive 242 runs.

Set an improbable 515, Barbados was dismissed for 272.

Dale Richards hit 117. Chipping in were Kirk Edwards with 51 and Ryan Hinds, 39. Nikita Miller took 4 for 55 bowling for Jamaica. David Bernard Jr. had 4 for 42.

After taking first innings lead by 117 runs, the Jamaicans posted 397 for 8 declared in their second innings, with Carlton Baugh retiring at 108, Miller 86, Darren Powell 69 and Brendon Nash 47.

Nickolai Charles 3 for 48, Corey Collymore 2 for 48, and Kevin Stoute 2 for 74.

The Jamaicans had taken first knock and scored 272. Tamar Lambert struck 143, and Brenton Parchment made 43. Kevin Stoute, 4 for 41, and Hinds, 2 for 55.

The host’s first innings stopped at 155. Dwayne Smith scored 55, as Miller had 5 for 33, Bernard, 3 for 23, and Odean Brown, 2 for 24.

But it was a no decision between Guyana and the Leewards. Guyana made 341. Narsighn Deonarine 94, Asad Fudadin 82, Chris Barnwell 35.

Anthony Martins took 5 for 79. Justin Athanaze took 2 for 42.

In reply, the Leewards were 206 for 4, at the close of the rain affected fixture. Montcin Hodge, 48 not out, Runarko Morton, 42 not out, and Keiron Powell, 36. Leon Johnson took 2 for 63.

Both teams collected four points each.

The Leewards and Barbados clash this weekend in Barbados, while Jamaica hosts the CCC.

Jamaica is way out front with 84 points, Barbados third with 54, the Leewards in fourth place on 47, next is Trinidad and Tobago on 45. The CCC is on 30 points, and Guyana is at the bottom on 24. (RT)