CUL DE SAC--The St. Maarten National cricketers were in a spot of bother chasing only 200 runs for first innings points against Anguilla in the Leeward Islands three-day cricket tournament at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark.
The home team was stuttering at 75 for five after day one. The not out batsmen were Moreland Le Blanc on 12 (3x4) and Damien Williams yet to open his account. The home team started off the chase badly after losing Sherwin Peters for five in the fourth over.
Michael Lewis, in his first match for St. Maarten, was joined by Akeem Charles and the two added 45 runs for the second wicket. Charles was aggressive for his 22, which included five fours, but his dismissal came when he poked tentatively at a well pitched up delivery. After his dismissal, the visitors grabbed three key wickets for just 20 runs. Lewis was adjudged lbw for 22 off 56 balls (2x4), Romain Doodnauth was bowled for three and Colin Hamer was given out lbw for naught.
Le Blanc, who is a nucleus in the batting line-up, looked smooth and silky in his stroke play. The boundaries he hit displayed signs that the talented batsman was returning to form and confidence. His first scoring shot was a crisp square-drive that left a trail of dust on its way to the boundary. He and Williams will be hoping to string a partnership together as the only significant partnership, so far, is for the second wicket.
The local batsmen struggled against the wily off spinner Chaka Hodge and left arm spinner Yannick Leonard. So far, Hodge has registered bowling figures of 7-3-15-2 and Leonard 9-4-21-2. The other wicket taker was Marlon Bryson with one for 19 in five overs.
Anguilla's 200 all out in 54 overs were piloted by Captain Lyndell Richardson with an authoritative 85 off 101 balls. The opening batsman spanked 14 fours and looked at ease against the bowling attack. He and his opening partner, Jovanni Gumbs, posted 85 for the first wicket and the Kenroy David-led team had to wait until after the lunch break to take a wicket.
But to the satisfaction of the fair-sized crowd, eight wickets fell between the lunch and tea period. Leg spinner Colin Hamer with five for 34 in 11 overs and left arm Darryl Doram with three for 67 in 18 overs were the chief destroyers. Lerry Baptiste was responsible for breaking the partnership, but then, the two spinners combined to restrict and destroy the opposition. When Montcin Hodge got out for a patient 13, Chaka Hodge misread a Hamer delivery and was adjudged lbw off his first ball.
Kacey Carty, who lives on St. Maarten, but plays for Anguilla, received a celebrity welcome as he walked to the crease, with players surrounding him and hurling good and bad advices in his ears. After the dust settled, he stroked the ball well for 12, but was undone by the bounce and turn of Hamer to spoon a simple catch of short third man. Shane Burton played adventurously for 33 off 31 balls, but was outfoxed by Doram only to hear his stumps rattle off an airy, loopy delivery. After his dismissal, three wickets fell with the score on 186 and then the innings came to an end with the dismissal of Josiah John for two.
When Le Blanc and Williams mark their guard today, their sights will be on the 125 runs in arrears and Lerry Baptiste, David, Mrinal Wadhwa and Doram in the shed. The match continues at 10:00am.
