GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – Windward Islands, led by a good all-round effort from Bronte Bess, got past Leewards Islands by 46 runs to make a winning start to the WICB Regional Under-19 One-day Championship. Bess, a strong lower-order batsman hit a vital 34 at the bottom of the innings as Windwards made the day’s highest score of 202 for nine off 50 overs at Demerara Cricket Club yesterday.
He then returned to grab two for 27 from 6.1 overs as Leewards were bowled out for 146 off 38.1 overs.
Jerlani Robinson played brilliantly for 39 off 29 balls while keeper Sunil Ambris cracked four sixes in 36 off 41 balls, but the Windwards slumped badly.
Bess then gave the innings the perfect flourish at the end as he smashed two sixes and two fours off just 43 balls before being dismissed off the last ball.
He added a crucial 61 for the eighth wicket with Ray Jordan, who made 20.
In the second half of the match, Bess sent down his bustling medium-fast stuff as the Leewards also collapsed, despite Rahkeem Cornwall’s audacious 46 off 39 balls.
Bess again got good support from new-ball partner Jordan, who snatched two for 12 – both wickets coming in the space of two balls.
Spinners Larry Edward (2-37) and Terron Simon (2-26) caused a mid-innings slump and the Leewards failed to recover.
Cornwall looked dangerous but fell at a crucial stage with his side on 126 for seven. Earlier opener Duane Webbe made 37 off 51 balls in the losing cause.