Barbados whip Leeward Islands by six wickets

GEORGETOWN:  BARBADOS comprehensively whipped Leeward Islands by six wickets in their 2004 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional One-Day Tournament match at Enmore Community Centre ground yesterday. The Bajans, beaten by Trinidad and Tobago in their opener, bowled out Leeward Islands for 157, then raced to 158 for four wickets off only 37.2 overs to collect one bonus point added to the four for winning the match. Without a run being scored, Corey Collymore started the Leeward Islands slide having Austin Richards caught at slip by Floyd Reifer.

Ryan Hinds then struck a double blow to leave the Leewards struggling, prising out West Indies batsman Sylvester Joseph for nine, and two balls later forcing Runako Morton, who hit an unbeaten century against Jamaica, to give a catch to skipper and wicketkeeper Courtney Browne. The Leewards innings dipped from 24 for three into further disaster at 44 for five, before captain Stuart Williams (55) and stocky all rounder Wilden Cornwall to put on 49 runs at just under five runs per over, before the latter was bowled by left arm spinner Sulieman Benn for 33. Williams and Omari Banks (21) featured in another productive 45-run partnership to take their team’s score to some respectability.

Williams took a liking to Benn and hit the lanky bowler for a six over mid-wicket then next ball a four to reach his 50 off 74 balls, but shortly after  was brilliantly caught by Benn off Ryan Hurley. And despite the best efforts of Banks, the tail quickly folded. Barbados started their reply briskly but lost two quick wickets with the total on 39, Sherwin Campbell for 17 and Dwayne Smith for a duck. But youngster Martin Nurse struck a bold 70 including nine fours which earned him the Man of the Match award. Nurse together with Ryan Hinds who hit 30 including three fours, put Barbados firmly back on the road to victory. When they were parted, the Barbados total had reached 134 and Floyd Reifer (21 not out) and Browne (eight not out) put the finishing touches to the match.