Sarwan (113) puts Guyana to the final

Chasing 242 runs to win from their allocation of 50 overs, Guyana hit the jackpot with 16 balls to spare, when fast bowler Curtis Roberts delivered a long-hop that ballooned over the head of Sarwan and wicketkeeper Alderman Lesmond into the boundary for four byes.

The 25-year-old Sarwan, who recently regained the post of West Indies vice captain for the three-Test series against Australia next month Down Under, was undefeated on 113 — a record third hundred in this year’s competition — that earned him the "Man-of-the-Match" award.

This pushed his tally of runs in this year’s competition to 457 making him the new holder of the single season record for the highest aggregate in the regional limited-overs competition, ahead of former Leewards all-rounder Keith Arthurton, who scored 408 in 1997.

More importantly, Sarwan’s innings that included one dozen fours and a single six from 122 balls ensured Guyana’s place in the Final of the regional limited-overs competition for a third straight year.

They will have to wait until Friday’s second semi-final at Bourda to see whether their opponents on Sunday at the same venue will be either Barbados or Windward Islands.

Half-centuries from Runako Morton and Wilden Cornwall had helped the Leewards post a competitive 241 for eight from their allotment of 50 overs.

Morton hit seven boundaries in the top score of 75 from 128 balls and added 94 for the fourth wicket with Cornwall, whose 53 from 72 balls contained half-dozen fours.

Neil McGarrell was the most successful Guyana bowler with three wickets for 38 runs from nine overs, and Rayon Griffith weighed in with two early scalps for 37 runs from eight overs.

Guyana suffered an early setback in their pursuit of the target, when Krishna Arjune was caught at square leg off Curtis Roberts for two top-edging an ill-advised hook at a short ball.

Sarwan came to the wicket and immediately set upon the Leewards’ bowling with his usual elegant drives on either side of the wicket a joy to behold.

He added 109 for the second wicket with left-handed opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon, whose 62 from 85 balls contained eight fours and was equally attractive to watch.