fightback on third day
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – Experienced all-rounder Omari Banks stroked a resilient half-century as the Leeward Islands endured a stout fightback from the Windward Islands on the third day of their fifth-round WICB Regional first-class match yesterday at Bourda.
With a handsome first-innings lead of 121, the Leewards plunged to a flimsy second-innings score of 198 all out and the Windwards – set a challenging 320 to win – struggled to 128 for four at stumps.
Andre Fletcher (46) and night-watchman Nelon Pascal (11) will resume on Monday’s final day with the Windwards needing a daunting 192 more runs to win with six wickets standing.
The Leewards — without a victory so far from three games — started the day on 22 without loss and in their haste to accumulate quick runs collapsed in 63 overs for their sub-200 total.
Out-of-favour West Indies all-rounder Banks was defiant for a top score of 57 and added a vital 82 for the fifth wicket with his captain Steve Liburd (48).
Banks smashed seven fours in a 93-ball knock and Liburd faced 62 balls in his attacking display that contained three fours and two sixes.
Kieran Powell (29), Mali Richards (20) and Montcin Hodge (19) were the only other batsmen reaching double figures for the Leewards, who had taken control of the game Saturday when they reduced the Windwards to 204 in response to their first innings total of 325.
The pick of the bowlers for the Windwards was fast bowler Pascal, who grabbed four for 40 off 13 overs although it was veteran leg-spinner Rawl Lewis, who broke the back of the top order to finish with three for 39 off 15 overs.
The off-spinner Shane Shillingford picked up two for 42 off 13 overs.  
Openers Devon Smith and Keddy Lesporis started the mammoth run-chase shortly after the tea interval and they put on 56 for the first wicket, before Lesporis went leg before to leg-spinner Anthony Martin for 31 which included two fours, a five and two sixes from 39 balls.
Smith and Fletcher had added a further 21 runs when Martin struck again, having Smith snapped up at forward short leg by Hodge for 25, laced with four sparkling boundaries off 49 deliveries.
Liam Sebastien, who had recorded a career best 143 in the previous game against Barbados, arrived at the crease to partner the typically aggressive Fletcher, but after scoring just three runs, he went via a similar route, caught at forward short leg by Hodge off Banks as the score dipped to 90 for three.
Wicket-keeper Lyndon James was promoted in the batting order and together with Fletcher took the score to 104 before he offered a simple return catch to Banks and departed for five.
That brought out Pascal, who linked up confidently with Fletcher and averted any further collapse, adding 24 runs for the partnership when play ended.
Fletcher has so far hit three fours and a solitary six off 68 balls in his innings, while Pascal belted two boundaries in his short stint at the crease.
Banks, who claimed a career-best seven-wicket haul that wrecked the Windward’ first innings, has so far picked two for 35 off 12 overs, supported by Martin, with two for 51 off 14 overs