Leewards (718/7) massacre Kenyans

THE VALLEY: The Leeward Islands took first innings points from Kenya yesterday but their second-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match ended in a draw at Ronald Webster Park.

A total of 1,272 runs were scored over the four days including four centuries for the loss of 17 wickets. Kenya made 564 while the Leewards made 718 for seven. The Leewards’ total created two new batting records for the team. It surpassed the 613 for five declared which the Leewards made in 1984 against Trinidad in Antigua. The Leewards also broke the highest individual team total in regional cricket, beating the 641 for five declared which Guyana made against Barbados at Bourda in 1967. The highlight of the final day was a maiden First-Class century for Carl Tuckett (142) who shared in a fifth wicket stand of 154 with Sylvester Joseph (195).

The Leewards started yesterday on 470 for four still needing a 94 runs to take first innings. Sylvester Joseph and Carl Tuckett added 72 in the morning session, extending their unbeaten fifth wicket stand to 141 with the Leewards’ 542 for four at lunch. The stand eventually reached 154 when Joseph — who batted for 635 minutes, faced 450 balls with 15 fours and one six — fell soon after the interval. He was caught at cover by Francis Otieno off Lameck Onyango for 195 with the total at 554 and one run later Wilden Cornwall was caught at the wicket by Maurice Omou off Otieno for zero with the Leewards still nine ruins adrift.

Tuckett ensured the team reached the target when he lofted leg spinner Collins Obuya over wide long on for four and later brought up his century off 201 balls in 299 minutes with nine  fours. The Leewards went to tea at 636 for six, but lost Tuckett soon after for 142 after adding 115 for the seventh wicket with Elsroy Powell who was undefeated on 61 when play was called off. The Leewards next play West Indies “B” in Nevis in the tournament’s third round which begins Friday while Kenya play Trinidad and Tobago in Scarborough.