CMC – LEFT-ARM pacer Nathan Edward recorded the first five-wicket haul in the inaugural West Indies Breakout League to propel the Leeward Islands Thunder to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Barbados Pelicans here on Wednesday.
Player-of-the-Match Edward ran through the Pelicans’ top order, grabbing four of the first five wickets to fall, and was instrumental in helping to restrict them to 127 off 19.5 overs.

The Thunder then eased to victory thanks to solid contributions from their top order to finish on 129 for two from 16.3 overs.
Nathan Edward (left) of the Leeward Islands Thunder celebrates one of his five wickets with Karima Gore during their match against the Barbados Pelicans. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

It was their second win in as many games, while the Pelicans, one of the pre-tournament favourites, slumped to their second loss in three matches.
But the spotlight belonged to the 19-year-old Edward, with his performance almost singlehandedly determining the outcome of the match.

He began his carnage by trapping Shian Brathwaite for a duck with the third ball of the innings and then comprehensively bowled Kadeem Alleyne for 10 and Nathan Sealy two balls later for another duck, to leave the Pelicans tottering on 17 for three.
It became 27 for four when he accounted for the wicket of Shaqkere Parris to put the Thunder in complete control.

Leniko Boucher tried his best to revive the innings with a fighting 48 from 51 balls and together with Joshua Bishop, who made 24, they added 49 runs for the seventh wicket, the largest partnership of the innings.
But once Edward returned to snag Boucher’s wicket, the Pelican’s innings fell apart soon after and they were bowled out off the penultimate ball of the innings.

Edward ended with 5-27 from his four overs, while Cameron Pennyfeather took 2-18.
The Thunder then got a solid start in their run chase, with openers Jamie Cornelius and Kofi James putting on 47 runs in five overs.

Left-arm spinner Nathan Sealy broke the partnership by dismissing Cornelius for 18 and off spinner Junior Sinclair gave the Pelicans hope when he snared James’ wicket for 35, to make the score 76 for two.
However, Mikyle Louis hit an unbeaten 25 and Jewel Andrew made 36 not out, as the Thunder comfortably reached their target with 21 balls to spare.