By Samuel Peters
The Leeward Islands (LI) two-day campaign got off to a rocky start after a sweltering opening at the crease where their batters struggled against the Windward Islands (WI), losing by 71 runs.
WI batted first, getting to 134 all out from 65 overs, as Lluvio Charles got an even 50 with Kodi Grant and Earshino Fontaine contributing 27 and 22.
Spinners Is-rael Morton and Micah McKenzie picked up three wickets each.
Leeward were then bundled out for 64 all out as Captain Tanez Francis stroked 37 of the total runs as no other batter scored more than six runs with Cody Fontenelle being the main instigator of the collapse with four for 21.
In the second innings, Windward Islands put up another fight, getting to 101 for seven before declaring.
Fontaine starred with the bat again, this time with a well-played 33 given the situation. McKenzie and Morton shared five wickets with the former picking up three and the latter grabbing the other two.
Set a challenging 172 to win, the Leewards picked up where they left off in the first innings, struggling against the disciplined bowling of the Windwards.
J’quan Athanaze made an unbeaten 33 as he found no partners to weather the storm as the Leewards were crushed by 71 runs.
Fontenelle continued to haunt the batting line, picking up five for 33, ending with match figures nine for 54.
Leewards will play Guyana on Saturday at 10 am.
