ST THOMAS, US Virgin Islands, CMC – Discarded West Indies batsman Runako Morton stroked a half-century to climb to within 14 of breaking the 1000-run barrier but honours were evenly shared on the opening day of the final round WICB Regional four-day match between the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands yesterday.

The right-handed Morton, overlooked for the West Indies tour of England despite heavy scoring this season, struck 53 as the Leewards were dismissed for 243 after they won the toss and opted to bat first at the Adelita Cancryn Ground.

At the close, the Windwards were 66 for two still 177 runs in arrears, after losing wickets late in the day.  Morton, starting this 14th round of matches on 953 runs, hammered seven fours in an innings that came from 71 balls and lasted 108 minutes.

He shared a vital 98-run stand with flashy opener Kieran Powell who played a shot-filled 88, but the hosts lost their way thereafter and their last seven wickets tumbled for just 52 runs.

Powell, striking the ball cleanly and powerfully, cracked 12 fours and a six, facing a mere 118 balls in 197 minutes at the crease.

He and Morton fell in quick succession, and it was left to Tonito Willett with an unbeaten 61 to hold the batting together, as leg-spinner Rawl Lewis (3-2) and medium pacer Mervin Matthew (3-43) combined to wreck the innings.

Left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters (2-64) and off-spinner Shane Shillingford (2-68) grabbed key wickets to offer great support.