Sammy fireworks in vain as St Lucia lose
GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) — West Indies captain Darren Sammy warmed up for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup by blasting a typically high tempo half-century but St Lucia suffered another defeat in the Windward Islands Twenty20 Championship on Saturday night.
There was no such ill fortune for St Vincent and the Grenadines as they advanced to the final after finishing the preliminary stage unbeaten with a five-wicket win over the previously unbeaten Dominica.
Playing in the second game of the night at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia gathered 149 for nine off 20 overs with Sammy belting 76 off just 44 balls, with six fours and four sixes.
However, St Lucia lost four wickets in the final over bowled by out-of-favour West Indies fast bowler Nelon Pascal (3-45), to fall away badly at the end.
Middle order batsman Mervin Wells played another vital innings for his team, contributing 25.
Seamer Micah Narine snatched two for 26 with both wickets coming in his first over.
Grenada then cruised to 150 for three off 17.1 overs with openers Lindon Lawrence (44) and Daniel Smith (27) put on 79 for the first wicket off 61 balls.
Captain and West Indies batsman Devon Smith stroked 21 while Tade Carmichael finished on 21 not out.
Fast bowler Xavier Gabriel claimed two for 22 runs.
Earlier in the opening game of the doubleheader, Dominica won the toss and batted first but were bundled out for a paltry 90 off 17 overs.
Left-handed opener Ezra Green top-scored with 17 while Kirsten Casimir (16), Liam Sebastien (14) and Kevin James (12) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
They were undermined by leg-spinner Kerron Cottoy who claimed three for 24 and left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters who finished with the impressive figures of two for two from one over.
There were also three run outs in the Dominican innings.
In their turn at the crease, SVG coasted to 94 for five in 18.4 overs, guided by left-hander Atticus Brown’s 31 and Cottoy’s 20.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Ray Casimir bagged three for 11 while off spinner and captain Liam Sebastien claimed two for 21.
The tournament concludes Sunday night with St Lucia coming up against Grenada in the playoff for third place while SVG and Dominica will do battle in the final.
