St Vincent and the Grenadines relegated to fourth in Dominica

AT THE END of the 2022 Winlott Windward Islands Under-19 cricket tournament which was played in Dominica, defending champions St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) found themselves relegated to the cellar position in the four-island tournament.

SVG INDIVIDUAL Island MVP – Solomon Bascombe (left) receiving his award from Windward Islands Under-19 Head Coach Mervin Thomas

Having lost to Dominica in the opening round of matches, SVG drew their two-day game against St Lucia in the second round, and were beaten by Grenada in the third and final round.

SVG over the course of the July 6 – 14 tournament only amassed 16.4 points, moving from the position of defending champions to the bottom of the pile.

In their opening round game against hosts Dominica on July 7, SVG were all out for 75 in reply to Dominica’s first innings total of 186 all out in 54.1 overs, and subsequently lost by 67 runs at the Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica.

Having won the toss, the Vincentians sent hosts Dominica to take first knock, and led by skipper Stephan Pascal with 46, Dominica reached 186 all out. Also making useful contributions were Edmund Moranice with 38, Jahson Vidal 25, and Sherquan Toussaint 24.

Bowling for SVG, Kodi Grant 2 for 14, Coby DaBreo 2 for 19, Kirtney Franklyn 2 for 37, and Solomon Bascombe took 2 for 39.

In reply, SVG were dismissed for 75 in 30 overs, with Reshawn Lewis 31, and Luke Wilson 11.

Bowling for Dominica, Joel Durand finished with 3 for 15, Sherquan Toussaint 3 for 22, Jelani Joseph 1 for 3, Jahson Vidal 1 for 04, Tyrese LeBlanc 1 for 5, and Karon Phillip 1 for 22.

Batting a second time with a lead of 111, Dominica was bowled out for 111, Kyron Phillip top-scoring with 19, Jaiden Joseph and Jahson Vidal made 16 apiece. For the defending champions, Luke Wilson grabbed 5 for 35, while Solomon Bascombe took 3 for 17.

Chasing 222 for victory, SVG were dismissed for 155 all out, with Reshawn Lewis leading the effort with 43, Ethan Gibson made 28, and Kodi Grant 23. For Dominica Jelani Joseph took three for 35, Jahson Vidal 2 for 12, Kyron Phillip 2 for 22, as Dominica handed SVG a 67-run defeat, and took maximum points.

In the second round match at Benjamin Park in Portsmouth against St Lucia, who won the toss and sent SVG to bat, dismissing them for 86 in 42.3 overs.

Ethan Gibson and Kodi Grant each made 15, while bowling fir St Lucia, Kevin Grassie and Sky Lafeuille each took 3 for 23.

In response, St Lucia was dismissed for 138 in 62.1 overs, led by Amari Venner 28,Tarrique Edwards 25, and Sky Lafeuille 20. Bowling for SVG, Luke Wilson took 4 for 53, Solomon Bascombe 3 for 30, and Devonte McDowall 2 for 14. Faced with a 52-run deficit, SVG reached 56 for 3 at the end of the second and final day with Ethan Gibson remaining 26 not out. Kevin Grassie had 2 for 21, and Daren Sammy jr 1 for 12; match drawn with St Lucia taking first innings points.

In the third and final round match, played at Benjamin Park, Grenada won the toss and elected to bowl, and dismissed SVG for 93 all out in 35.4 overs, with Devonti McDowell top-scoring with 23, while Kevin Shallow made 18.

Bowling for Grenada, Kirt Murray took 3 for 13, Chad Abraham 3 for 10, and Devin Tyson 2 for 29.

In reply, Grenada on the strength of a fine 130 by Divonie Joseph declared their inning on 233 for 7 in 65 overs, with Kervyn Gangadeen contributing 39.

Bowling for SVG, Solomon Bascombe took 4 for 35.

Batting a second time, SVG needing to erase the 140-run deficit to make Grenada bat a second time, were dismissed for 101 all out. Ethan Gibson made 23, and Joe Williams 20, while Kervyn Gangadeen grabbed 3 for 25, and Kirt Murray 3 for 13, as Grenada won by an innings and 39 runs.