Jamaican Nkrumah Bonner stroked an unbeaten half-century as Leeward Islands Hurricanes made light work of Kent Spitfires, with an uncomplicated seven-wicket win here Wednesday night.
Set a target of 234 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, the hosts hardly put a
foot wrong as they overhauled the mark in the 44th over, to make a winning start to their Regional Super50 campaign in the fourth game of the tournament.
The right-handed Bonner produced a stellar unbeaten 78, an innings that came from 103 balls and included seven fours and a six.
He got support from left-hander Chesney Hughes who stroked 38, wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton who hit 36 not out, Montcin Hodge who chipped in with 34 and captain Kieran Powell who made 31.
The Hurricanes’ batting effort was a measured one and at no point during the innings were they under any pressure.
Powell added 58 for the first wicket with Hodge who struck six fours in a 53-ball innings before becoming the first of off-spinner Adam Riley’s two wickets, caught at mid-wicket by captain Sam Northeast in the 13th over.
Bonner then entered to anchor three partnerships which put the game to bed. Firstly, he posted 38 for the second wicket with Powell who faced 44 balls and counted two fours and a six before holing out in the deep also off seamer Hugh Bernard in the 22nd over.
Hughes, the former Derbyshire county pro, joined Bonner to add a further 64 for the third wicket, in a stand that ensured there would be no Hurricanes collapse.
He hammered four fours and a six off just 31 balls but fell to Riley with a half-century beckoning.
However, Bonner and Hamilton combined to ensure there would be no further hiccups, putting on 77 in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership.
Earlier, Calum Haggett struck a career-best 45 batting at number seven as Kent, sent in, rallied to 233 for nine off their 50 overs.
Wicketkeeper Adam Rouse got 35 while opener Sean Dickson scored 22 and Riley, 21 not out.
They were flailing at 85 for five before Haggett rescued the innings by inspiring two key partnerships, adding 44 for the sixth wicket with Rouse and 52 for the seventh wicket with Matt Coles (18).
Fast bowler Gavin Tonge led the Hurricanes attack with four for 39 while off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall finished with two for 35.
Kent were docked five runs for running on the wicket.
