Leeward Islands declare on 24 for 7 in West Indies Regional 4-day tournament

Devon Smith, who opened the innings for Windward Islands has represented West Indies

After being asked asked to bat, Leeward Islands made the unusual decision to declare their first innings on 24 for 7 before lunch on day one against Windward Islands in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4 Day Tournament match at Windsor Park, Dominica, reports ESPN Cricinfo.

While the decision to declare before lunch seems surprising, it appears to be a strategic one, due to the deteriorating pitch at Windsor Park. But the fact that Windward Islands passed the score without loss, suggests that the pitch wasn’t as bad as it might have seemed.

Windward Islands won the toss and chose to field and got off to the perfect start. The hosts picked up four wickets without conceding a single run, with the score on 3. Fast bowler Kevin McClean got the ball rolling, as he picked up the first two wickets.

The fifth wicket partnership, which was a mere seven runs, was the second-highest partnership of the innings, a sure sign of how poor Leeward’s batting was. With the score at 11, they lost two further wickets, the first of which was captain Steve Liburd, who made a six-ball duck.

Orlando Peters’ unbeaten 11, was not only the highest score of the innings, but he was also the only batsman to score more than 5. After the fall of wicketkeeper RJ Peters, with the score at 24 for 7, Liburd made the decision to declare.

The Windward Islands bowlers shared the wickets equally as Mervin Matthew, Kevin McLean and Kenroy Peters all took two wickets apiece. Batting before lunch, Windward Islands lost their first wicket after taking the lead.

Devon Smith was the first to go and three quick wickets followed to leave them at 36 for 4. However, the biggest partnership of the game between opener Tyrone Theophile (54*) and wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher (31), ensured that Windward Islands ended the day on 104 for 5.

12 wickets fell on the first day of the four-day encounter on which only 43.3 overs were bowled.

Scorecard:

Leeward Islands 1st innings:

SP Peters	2 (4)
SM Jeffers	1 (16)
DA Cruickshank	0(2)
NE Bonner	0 (18)
O Peters	11* (37)
SSW Liburd	0 (6)
RRS Cornwall	1 (9)
RJ Peters †	5 (12)
Total	24/7 dec

Bowling:

	Overs	Runs	Wickets
M Matthew	9	6	2
KR McClean	4	2	2
KK Peters	5.3	12	2

Windward Islands 1st innings:

DS Smith	7 (14)
T Theophile	54* (77)
MC Bascombe	1 (3)
J Charles	0 (1)
SW Ambris	3 (3)
ADS Fletcher †	31 (46)
LAS Sebastien	6* (14)
Total	104/5

Bowling:

	Overs	Runs	Wickets
GC Tonge	8	43	1
AS Joseph	7	24	3
RRS Cornwall	6	21	1
SP Peters	4	16	0