WRIST-SPINNER Anthony Martin yesterday produced a hat-trick to squeeze the Leeward Islands into the final of the West Indies Cricket Board’s 50-overs tournament after a narrow four-run win over Windward Islands in an ebb and flow semi-final clash at Sabina Park.

After the Windwards had rallied from 85-5 to reach 174-6 in search of 214, Martin dismissed Lindon James (64), Shane Shillingford (0) and Mervin Matthew (0) with consecutive deliveries in the 45th over to turn the game on its head.

The Windwards eventually ended on 209-9, despite a valiant unbeaten last wicket partnership of 35 from 30 balls between Garey Mathurin and Nelon Pascal, as the pair failed to get the 14 runs they needed off the last two overs.

Batting first, Leewards openers Chesney Hughes and Montcin Hodge put on a solid first-wicket partnership of 44.

Hodge’s dismissal for 19 triggered a minor top order collapse that saw the demise of Javia Liburd (7), Williams (0) and Omari Banks (0) in quick succession.

Hughes, after an unconvincing start, grew in confidence and compiled a workman-like 81 off 105 balls before Shillingford had him trapped leg-before-wicket. With his dismissal at 156-4 in the 35th over, the Leewards lost their way somewhat and were bowled out for 213 with one over remaining.

Defending a relatively small target, the Leewards pushed their neighbours onto the backfoot with two quick wickets from seamer Lionel Baker.

He first had Devon Smith caught at slip for nought, then soon after had Andre Fletcher caught by wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton, also for zero.

The early setback proved too much for the Windwards batsmen, who despite being resuscitated by an 80-run sixth wicket stand between James and Liam Sebastian, failed to nullify the skiddy threat of Martin.

Scoreboard

LEEWARDS

M Hodge c Sebastien b Sammy 19

C Hughes lbw b Shillingford 81

J Liburd lbw b Sebastien 7

G Williams lbw b Sammy 0

O Banks c James b Sammy 0

*W Cornwall b Mathurin 38

J Taylor c Smith b Sammy 14

+J Hamilton c Charles b Shillingford 11

J Athanaze c Pascal b Matthew 21

L Baker c Sammy b Matthew 9

A Martin not out 0

Extras (lb3, w5, nb5) 13

TOTAL (all out, 49 overs) 213

Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Hodge), 2-59 (Liburd), 3-62 (Williams), 4-80 (Banks), 5-156 (Hughes), 6-161 (Cornwall), 7-178 (Hamilton), 8-187 (Taylor), 9-213 (Baker), 10-213 (Athanaze)

Bowling: Matthew 7-0-37-2, Pascal 4-1-29-0, Sammy 10-0-47-4, Sebastien 8-0-26-1, Mathurin 10-1-41-1, Shillingford 10-1-30-2.

WINDWARDS

D Smith c Hughes b Baker 0

J Charles run out 34

A Fletcher c wkp Hamilton b Baker 0

K Lesporis c sub (S Liburd) b Athanaze 22

+L James b Martin 64

*D Sammy c Martin b Taylor 19

L Sebastien c Hodge b Cornwall 24

G Mathurin not out 19

S Shillingford b Martin 0

M Matthew lbw b Martin 0

N Pascal not out 18

Extras (b2, w6, nb1) 9

TOTAL (9 wkts, 50 overs) 209

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Smith), 2-1 (Fletcher), 3-60 (Lesporis), 4-61 (Charles), 5-85 (Sammy), 6-165 (Sebastien), 7-174 (James), 8-174 (Shillingford), 9-174 (Matthew)

Bowling: Baker 9-0-52-2, Cornwall 8-0-41-1, Martin 10-1-23-3, Athanaze 10-0-31-1, Taylor 10-0-38-1, Hughes 3-0-22-0.

Result: Leewards won by four runs.

Toss: Leewards.

Umpires: N Malcolm, P Nero.