Leewards declare on 378/9

PHILIPSBURG: The Leeward Islands declared at 378 for the loss of nine wickets at the close of play yesterday in their fifth-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match against the Windward Islands. Resuming after tea with 306 for seven, Leewards batsmen Jason Williams and Virgil Browne rallied the score higher before Williams, after 42 runs, was caught by Shane Shillingford off a ball delivered by Fernix Thomas. Adam Sanford came in next, and scored just nine before being dismissed.

Browne continued on to score 25 not out as Leewards reached the 378 mark and declared. The Windwards gave up 31 extras. Earlier, the Leewards batsmen started the day on 82 for two, and had driven the score to 221 for three by lunch. Bowling for Windwards, captain Rawl Lewis took four quick wickets to slow Leeward Islands. He worked 34 overs for the four wickets, allowed 82 runs and had five maidens. In reply, the Windwards batsmen scored 40 without loss, with left-hander Devon Smith scored ten runs in the 14th over before play was suspended due to bad light. Smith hit two fours and a single. Right-hander Rommel Currency was also left at the crease.

The Leewards bowling attack began with fast pacers Kerry Jeremy and Adam Sanford. Jeremy worked four overs for six runs, while Sanford had five overs and 19 runs. The top Leewards batsmen were Williams, with 74 on 88 balls, and Tonito Willett, who added 65 runs in three fours and one six. Several thousand fans had turned out at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark for the first First-Class cricket match to be held in this Dutch territory. Rain caused play to be delayed four hours on Friday.