Guyana storm into Final Four

Windwards, in pursuit of Guyana’s competitive total of 252 for seven from 44 overs, were dismissed for 197 in 40.3 overs.

The victory lifted Guyana to the top of the standings with 15 points, and left Windwards hugging fourth place on eight points.

Darren Sammy, who played a couple limited-overs internationals for West Indies last year, led the way for the Windwards with 50 from 73 balls that included five fours.

Esuan Crandon, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Reon King and Rayon Griffith, all snared two wickets apiece to put the skids on the Windwards’ batting.

Guyana’s total was built upon the backs of their two most recognisable batsmen — West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul and his deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan — who both hit half-centuries.

Chanderpaul hit two fours and four sixes in the top score of 65 from 58 balls to earn the "Man-of-the-Match" prize, and added 84 for the fourth wicket with Sarwan, whose 62 from 76 balls included four fours and two sixes.

Windwards’ captain Rawl Lewis was his side’s most successful bowler with three for 57 from eight overs, and Sammy supported with two for 47 from eight overs.

Earlier, damp conditions from overnight and early morning rain prompted a delayed start of an hour, and a reduction in the number of overs to each side to 44.

Chanderpaul and Sarwan consolidated Guyana’s position with their partnership, playing an array of enterprising strokes, including some searing drives and crunching pulls.

Sarwan was eventually caught at long-off off Sammy in the 35th over, leaving Chanderpaul and Assad Fudadin to keep the ball rolling.

Fudadin however, was one of three wickets that tumbled for four wickets in the space of four balls that left Guyana on 212 for seven in the 41st over.

Neil McGarrell and Mahendra Nagamootoo flourished towards the end to add 40, unbroken, to put Guyana over the 250-run hump.

After today’s rest day, Guyana face Trinidad and Tobago, and Windwards meet Leeward Islands in the final preliminary round on Sunday.