… Cato hits 127; Lewis grabs 7-57

PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC) – An astute hundred from Roland Cato took the edge off another destructive spell from Ramaal Lewis to revive Windward Islands after they stumbled against Jamaica in the Regional Under-19 Tournament yesterday.Cato, the Windwards Under-19 captain, hit 127, as his side was dismissed for 252 in their first innings about 25 minutes before the scheduled close on the opening day of their third round match in the 3-Day competition.
Off-spinner Lewis, the Jamaica and incumbent West Indies Under-19 captain, was the pick of his side’s bowlers, taking 7-57 from 32.3 overs, moving his tally of scalps for the tournament to 20.
Leroy Lugg, the West Indies Under-19 opener, was not out on four and Odaine McCatty was not out on zero, as Jamaica reached five without loss in reply when stumps were drawn at the Guyana National Stadium.
Cato reached his hundred from 197 balls, when he square-cut Odean Smith through backward point for his 12th four.
In all, he smashed 15 fours and three sixes from 211 balls in a shade under four hours to rescue his side, after they squandered a resolute opening stand of 55 between Melvin Gordon and Gidron Pope.
Pope made 32 and Gordon scored 27, but they were two of the wickets that fell, leaving Windwards 66 for three inside the last half-hour before lunch.
Apart from Cato, none of the other batsmen reached 20, as Lewis worked his way through the Windwards’ batting.
Cato added a valuable 44 for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper/batsman Anson Latchman and dominated a stand of 45 for the ninth wicket with Sherman Lewis taking advantage of the favourable conditions to prove his class.
Windwards made two changes, bringing Sherman Hooper and the beanpole Kharmal Hamilton in to replace Kershaskie Jno Lewis and Craig Phillip.
Jamaica also made two changes replacing Oshane Thomas and Ramone Francis with Shahid Crooks and Gareth Henry.
Provisionally, Windwards are third in the points table on 22.1 and Jamaica, last year’s double-crown champions, are fourth on 20.8.