Stuart Williams propels WI to another big win

MIAMI: Former West Indies opening batsman Stuart Williams scored a dashing century on Sun-day to enable the West Indies XI to defeat Lauderhill XI by 52 runs in the second fund-raising encounter at Oakland Park Stadium. The stylish Nevisian right-hander stroked an even hundred and steered the West Indies side to a formidable 240 for six off their 30 overs, and the home side replied with 187 for seven as the West Indies XI recorded their second win over Lauderhill in as many days.

The 35-year-old Will-iams, who played 31 Tests for the West Indies between 1994 and 2002, entertained the large crowd with flowing cover drives and on-side boundaries in a 71-ball innings that contained 13 fours and four towering sixes. Brighton Watambwa, Lauderhill’s opening bowler, was outstanding for his side, capturing three wickets for 27 runs.  He dismissed Test opener Daren Ganga for a duck, and minutes after, bowled West Indies vice captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan also without scoring. Sarwan had scored a century in Saturday night’s 128-run victory for the Windies XI in the two-match series, arr-anged to raise funds for victims of recent hurricanes.

Watambwa, who represented his native Zimbabwe a few years ago, is now residing in Florida.  West Indies XI skipper Richie Richar-dson won the toss and decided to bat, but quickly lost Ganga and Sarwan.  Williams and Shivnarine Chanderpaul rescued the innings and Chanderpaul scored 44 before he retired. When the allotted 30 overs were exhausted, the Windies unit had rallied impressively as Jamaicans Marlon Sam-uels and Carlton Baugh made useful contributions of 32 runs each. The Lauderhill Xl only managed to muster 187 for seven off 29 overs, and the captains decided to call off the match with West Indies winning by 53 runs. Mandeep Dhillon top-scored for the home team with 44, while former Leeward Islands allrounder Hamish Anth-ony got 36 not out and Shane Ford 35.  Ganga claimed two for 33.