ST THOMAS, US Virgin Islands, CMC – A three-wicket burst from Leeward Islands pacer Gavin Tonge wrecked the Windward Islands innings and left them on the threshold of defeat on the third day of their 14th round WICB Regional four-day match yesterday.
The 26-year old, overlooked by regional selectors for West Indies’ tour of England despite his outstanding form this season, finished the day with 4-25 as the Windwards, set 249 for victory, stumbled to 110-7 at the close.
Tonge, bowling with pace and accuracy, brought the Adelita Cancryn Ground to life in his second over when he removed Johnson Charles (8), Andre Fletcher (0) and Donwell Hector (0) to send the Windwards crashing to 16 for four.
The right-armer prised out Charles with his second ball to a catch at the wicket and with his fourth ball also had new batsman Andre Fletcher caught at first slip by Runako Morton, playing an attacking stroke.
Tonge claimed his third wicket of the over with his final delivery when Donwell Hector slashed a sharp chance to gully where captain Steve Liburd held on to the offer.
The innings was tossed into further strife when medium pacer Brent Defreitas (2-34) trapped Miles Bascombe lbw with the score still on 16.
Tonge, who now has 43 wickets this season, added Liam Sebastien (8) and Defreitas claimed captain Rawl Lewis (12) in quick succession as the Windwards tumbled spectacularly to 37 for six.
The carnage was halted by Lyndon James who counter-attacked with an even 50 from 53 balls with six fours and a six, in a 73-run stand with Shane Shillingford (15).
Earlier, the Leewards benefitted from half-centuries from Devon Thomas and Montcin Hodge before they were dismissed for 276 after resuming at their overnight 102 for five.
Thomas struck 74 off 109 balls with eight fours while Hodge chipped in with a patient 58 which required 142 balls and spanned 194 minutes. He struck eight fours and a six.
They shared a crucial 73-run stand for the sixth wicket that revived the Leewards, before Tonge hammered 24 down the order to give the hosts a fighting total.
