Stewart gives Windwards edge

Shoaib Malik at the wicket
Shoaib Malik at the wicket

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent,  CMC – An Emmanuel Stewart half-century handed Windward Islands the advantage heading into today’s final day of their opening three-day game of the Regional Under-19 Championship against Leeward Islands here.

Emmanuel Stewart… struck a half-century for Windwards.
Emmanuel Stewart… struck a half-century for Windwards.

Having secured a narrow lead of five runs on first innings, a solid batting effort was required and the Windwards finished yesterday’s second day on 153 for seven – an overall advantage of 158 runs at Sion Hill.

Stewart fashioned an important innings, facing 111 deliveries and counting six fours, as he helped revive the innings from a position of 12 for two.

He added 60 for the third wicket with Alick Athanaze who missed out on a half-century with 47, and then dominated a 51-run, fourth wicket stand with Johnel Eugene who made just nine. Athanaze, who made 39 in the Windwards’ first innings of 109, faced 59 deliveries and struck five fours and two sixes.

Stewart perished in a dramatic late slide that saw the Windwards lose five quick wickets for 22 runs.

Kian Pemberton (2-11) accounted for both openers while Javy Benjamin (2-16) engineered the slump that kept Leewards in the contest.