Banks (7-41) destroys Windwards

Leeward Islands’ Omari Banks destroyed the Windward Islands with a seven wicket haul  to help his team to first innings points and a 143-run first innings lead on day two of their four-day regional first class match at the Georgetown cricket Club’s Bourda ground yesterday.

Windward batsman Donwell Hector (left), awaits confirmation from the umpire even as the Leeward Islands players go up almost in unison for a catch at the wicket off Omari Banks. (Orlando Charles photo)

At the close of play the Leewards were 22-0 in their second innings for an overall lead of 165.

Montcin Hodge is not out on 12 and Mali Richards unbeaten on nine.

Earlier, the Leewards, resuming on their overnight 254-5, lost their remaining five wickets for an additional 71 runs to be all out for 325.

The Leewards lost Banks (30) and Wilden Cornwall (23) but Jahmar Hamilton, batting at number eight, blasted an unbeaten on 40  from 46 balls with five fours to help his team go past the 300-run mark.

He received support from the lower order trio of Lionel Baker, Anthony Martin and Justin Athanaze.

Rawl Lewis finished with 3 – 77 while Nelon Pascal, Shane Shillingford and Keon Peters claimed two wickets each for 42, 89 and 55 runs respectively.

Deighton Butler chipped in with 1 – 28.

When the Windwards batted Andre Fletcher and captain Devon Smith put on 65 runs for the second wicket after opener Keddy Lesporis fell cheaply.

Smith was solid before he was bowled for 34 by Michael Martin and after that partnership was broken things started going downhill for Windwards with six wickets falling for 42 runs.

Fletcher, though, batted positively to reach a half century while Shillingford played an explosive innings down the order, hitting eight fours and two sixes in 52.

Butler (15) and Peters (11) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures as the Windwards were dismissed for 204 in 56.2 overs.

Baker supported Banks with 2 – 51 from 11 overs and Martin finished with 1 – 50 from 19 overs.