ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Guyana extended Leeward Islands’ misery but then lost two wickets to concede some of their advantage, on the second day of their sixth round contest here yesterday.
The visitors sent the Leewards tumbling to 174 all out in their first innings, to take a lead of 66 runs in their Regional Four-Day game at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.However, at the close, the Leewards had hit back strongly, reducing Guyana to 47 for two – an overall lead of 113 runs.
Leg-spinner Anthony Martin, with two for five from five overs, accounted for opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul for nine and Amir Khan without scoring.
Guyana had earlier added just two runs to their overnight 238 for nine, before being finally dismissed.
They then set about making inroads into the Leewards innings, mainly through Keon Joseph who snatched four for 53 and off-spinner Zaheer Mohamed Shadir who finished with three for 12.
The experienced Devon Thomas held up their advance with a timely 71 while Tonito Willett got 27, but no other Leewards batsman passed 20.
Thomas faced 128 balls in just under 2-1/2 hours at the crease and stroked nine fours and a six, adding 68 for the fifth wicket with Willett who hit five fours in 66 balls and 80 minutes at the crease.
Their stand was required after the Leewards crashed to 64 for four. Captain Kieran Powell drove loosely and was bowled by Joseph for 17 while Javier Liburd nicked a drive off pacer Ronsford Beaton behind for five, to leave the hosts on 42 for lunch.
After the break, Orlando Peters edged left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul to slip to fall for for 14 before Jahmar Hamilton was run out without scoring, attempting a run off a mis-field.
Willett and Thomas then resisted until just before tea, when Willett gave Shadir a return catch to leave the Leewards 139 for five at the break.
Thomas followed soon after the resumption with three runs added, lbw to Joseph.