SVG retain Windwards T-20 cricket title

St Vincent and the Grenadines have retained championship of the Winlott Inc Windwards Twenty/20 cricket competition.{{more}}

Their moment of victory came last Sunday afternoon at the Grenada National Stadium, when they stung the host by four runs. It was a heartbreak for the Grenadians, who were in pursuit of 176, but were restricted to 171 for 6 from their allotted 20 overs.

This, after the opening pair of Lyndon Lawrence and Andre Fletcher shared in a stand of 121.

Lawrence struck 71 from 41 balls, in which he laced six fours and three sixes, while Fletcher, who was the linchpin of his team in the competition, lashed 70, dotted with three fours and seven sixes, off 41 balls.

Reports say that Delorn Johnson’s dismissals of Ronald Ettienne (5) and Denis George (1) within the space of two balls, turned the match in the Vincentians’ favour.

Asif Hooper finished with 3 for 36 for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In the first stanza of the final, Donwell Hector stroked 51 and Lindon James 39, as St Vincent and the Grenadines posted 175 for 6 from the maximum 20 overs.

The Grenadian bowlers conceded 22 extras, including 12 no balls.

Denis George – 3 for 25 and Ronald Ettienne – 2 for 38 were the Grenadians’ most successful bowlers.

It was revenge for the Vincentians, who lost to Grenada when both teams last met in the preliminary phase.

Scores: Grenada 177 for 5; Andre Fletcher 112, seven fours and seven sixes.

Bowling for SVG – Kenroy Peters took 2 for 27.

In response, SVG made 163 for 4 from their 20 overs; Romel Currency scored 86 and Miles Bascombe – 43. Akim Alexis grabbed 2 for 30.

In other preliminary matches, St Vincent and the Grenadines beat Dominica by two runs and recorded 38 runs against St Lucia.

Miles Bascombe hit six fours and three sixes in his 61 from 50 balls as St Vincent and the Grenadines made 123 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Liam Sebastian was 33 not out, Tyrone Theophile – 30 and Jerlani Robinson – 24, as Dominica got to 121 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Vivian Titre with 2 for 19 and Kevin James, 2 for 5, were the most successful bowlers for Dominica, while Delorn Johnson picked up 2 for 22 for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

SVG scored 174 for 1; Miles Bascombe had 76 not out and Romel Currency – 61.

St Lucia made 136 for 5. Keddy Lessporis and Craig Emmanuel got 28, and Vidal Crandon – 26.

Delorn Johnson grabbed 3 for 27.

Grenada played unbeaten in the preliminary round, beating Dominica and St Lucia by seven runs.

St Lucia got past Dominica in a super over, leaving Dominica winless in the preliminary phase.

Dominica, however, took the third spot when they won their first match to finish third in the tournament. They defeated St Lucia by five wickets.

The two-day format begins today — Tuesday, with SVG meeting Dominica and Grenada against St Lucia.(RT)