Windwards snatch first innings points

CASTRIES, St Lucia: Guyana had a lead of 148 runs with five second innings wickets still standing at the close of  play on the third day of their Carib Beer Series match against the Windward Islands at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds, yesterday. After conceding first innings points to the Windward Islands, the Guyanese batsmen put their heads down in their second turn at the crease and got good contributions from three of their top order.

Earlier both teams were involved in a tense fight for first innings honours. At one time the Guyanese seemed to hold the initiative, claiming three Wind-wards wickets for just one run and with only the last pair left. The Windwards, resuming at the overnight score of 58 for four, were helped by some purposeful batting in the pre-lunch session led by Junior Murray and Darren Sammy, both of whom scored half centuries. Murray hit seven fours in his 51, made in 90 minutes, while Sammy batted seven minutes longer for a similar score which included one six and seven fours.

Skipper Rawl Lewis was also among the runs and with Sammy featured in a seventh wicket partnership of 83 which brought the Windwards to within five of the Guyana score. The Guyanese were still in with a chance when the Windwards lost their seventh, eighth and ninth wickets for just one run with the deficit then only in a single digit, but the last pair held off the challenge to inch the Windwards ahead.