Leewards make bold reply at Guaracara

LEEWARD Islands were making a strong reply to Trinidad and Tobago’s first innings score of 335 before bad light ended play 13 overs early on the second day of their opening round Carib Beer Series clash at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, South Trinidad.

The Islanders reached 173 for two wickets when the umpires lifted the bails for the day. Scores: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 335.  LEEWARD ISLANDS 173 for two wickets. Opener Shane Jeffers stroked an unbeten 72 and Tonito Willett was with him on  65 not out, with Leeward Islands 162 runs short of the Trinidad and Tobago first innings total. The home team resumed yesterday on 293 for eight and the last two wickets added an invaluable 41 runs.  Left-arm orthodox spinner Virgil Browne grabbed one more wicket to finish with eight for 139 on debut. Leewards began their reply well with openers Jeffers and vice-captain Alex Adams posted 32 for the first wicket.  Adams was the first to go when he was caught by Tishan Maraj off the bowling off Dwayne Bravo for 14.

Former West Indies youth captain Sylvester Joseph was next in and but didn’t last long, falling to off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth for 10. Trinidad and Tobago then allowed the game to slip away, with the fieldsmen grassing  a total of four catches for the day. Tonito, son of former Leewards and West Indies left-arm spinner Elquemedo Willett, joined forces with the left handed Jeffers with the score on 73.  And after a cautious start Willett blossomed to hit some sweetly-timed boundaries on either side of the wicket. All the while Jeffers, who captained the West Indies ‘B’ team in last year’s tournament, was playing very solidly and brought up his half century in 122 minutes off 92 balls with nine fours.

Willett took the cue and started to dominate the local bowling and also brought up his 50 from 98 balls in 104 minutes at the crease including nine boundaries. With the two in full control, the weather, bright and sunny for most of the day, got overcast during the final session and at 4.12 pm, the batsmen accepted the umpires’ offer to go off. Within minutes the heavens opened up, ruining any chance of play for the remainder of the day. Play begins half-an-hour earlier today, at 9.30 am, to make up for lost time.