GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Propelled by an another inspired performance by discarded West Indies off-spinner Omari Banks, Leewards Islands needed just over a session to post their first win of the WICB regional first class championship with a 53-run victory over the Windward Islands yesterday. Banks, who has not worn Windies colours in five years, snatched six for 113 on the final day of the contest at Bourda as Windwards collapsed for 266, in pursuit of 320 to win.
The 27-year-old started the day with two wickets to his name and claimed four more to end with a match haul of 13 for 154. That was in addition to his strong batting performances in both innings where he made 30 and 57 to crown a fine all-round display.
Resuming at 128 for four with Andre Fletcher on 46 and Nelon Pascal on 11 and 192 adrift of their target, the Windwards lost their last six wickets for 138 runs.
The right-handed Fletcher struck 80 and Kenroy Peters smashed 52 at the end but it was not enough to save Windwards from their second loss of the tournament.
Windwards were off to a disastrous start when Pascal, who had added just a single run to his overnight score, prodded forward to Banks and gave Montcin Hodge his third catch at forward short leg at 137 for five.
Donwell Hector and an unusually subdued Fletcher battled for survival, adding 42 for the seventh wicket before Hector played down the wrong line and was lbw to Banks for 15.
Any chance of the Windwards getting the victory target or saving the match rested on the shoulders of Fletcher and new batsman Rawl Lewis but Banks quickly erased any such hopes.
Lewis had made three when he pushed at a faster delivery from Banks and watched as captain Steve Liburd held on to a stunning reflex action catch at silly mid-off at 185 for seven.
Windwards then lost two more wickets for the addition of 10 runs to plunge to the brink of defeat at 195 for nine, with Fletcher and Shane Shillingford (3) falling quickly.
Fletcher’s 142-ball innings ended with a catch to Lionel Baker at fine leg off off-spinner Justin Athanaze after striking six fours.
Peters’ cameo helped produce 71 for the last wicket with Deighton Butler (17 not out) and temporarily raised hopes of a miracle win for the Windwards.
The recall of seamer Wilden Cornwall for a new spell, however, ended Peters’ fireworks as he was trapped lbw after facing 36 balls and striking eight fours and two sixes.