CAVE HILL, Barbados (CMC) – Experienced opener Devon Smith hit a well-constructed 122 here yesterday as the Windward Islands grabbed a first innings lead of 128 before leaving the Combined Colleges & Campuses tottering at 38 for two in their second innings at the close on day two of their WICB regional first class match at the 3Ws Oval.

The visitors, who resumed on 89 for two in pursuit of CCC’s modest first day total of 158 all out, were anchored by left-hander Smith as they compiled 286 all out, a healthy advantage on first innings.

Smith’s 16th first-class century was spiced with 11 fours and three sixes and spanned 281 balls and six-and-a-half hours. He shared useful stands with Donwell Hector, who struck 31, and Shane Shillingford, who contributed an unbeaten 23.

Jason Bennett, bowling with good pace and control, grabbed five for 86 but the spinners Kavesh Kantasingh (2-73) and Ryan Austin (1-86) struggled to make an impact.

CCC, with 20 overs to negotiate, lost both openers near the end as captain Darren Sammy removed Simon Jackson (11) and Shillingford snared Kyle Corbin (22).

Nekoli Parris and Ryan Austin survived to the close.
Earlier, the 27-year-old Smith dominated the visitors’ positive reply even as he lost partners at regular intervals in the first session.

The first to fall was Keddy Lesporis, who got his lines crossed with Smith as he sought a second run to fine leg. Both batsmen ended up in the same crease and the junior man was run-out for 12.

Sammy (14) and Rawl Lewis (4) both departed cheaply as the Windwards took lunch at an uncertain 152 for five. Sammy chased a wide one and provided a first scalp for Bennett, who then claimed Lewis to another wicketkeeper’s catch.

Smith, watchfully, was unbeaten on 71 at the break and, on resumption, found an able ally in Hector as they added 57 crucially for the sixth wicket to cool the CCC.

Hector, who survived a torrid early test from Bennett, eventually fell to Austin, feathering a pull for wicketkeeper Walton to hold his fourth catch of the innings. The Vincentian hit five fours off 57 balls.

Bennett removed Lyndon James (8) just before tea, rattling the stumps off the inside edge.

Smith went to the break unflustered on 97 and brought up his landmark, off 263 balls, soon afterwards with a sweet off-drive for three.

He then unleashed a volley of strokes that stunned Austin. He twice launched him for a massive six over long-on and Shillingford also joined in with some big hits.

Smith eventually perished trying to pull Kantasingh and Bennett returned to clean up the tail.

CCC, whose regular opener Omar Phillips was recuperating from a Hector blow to the right forearm when fielding at silly point, replied strongly through Corbin and Jackson.

The pair batted untroubled, adding 34 in an hour before they both fell as the day closed in. Jackson played no stroke and was lbw to Sammy while Corbin edged Shillingford to first slip.