GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):
THE WINDWARD Islands
captured first innings points over Guyana, but were then forced to avoid defeat as their ninth round Carib Beer Series game petered out into a draw at Bourda
yesterday.
Chasing the Windwards' 443, Guyana started from their overnight position of 383 for seven but fell 47 short on 396 all out with Shivnarine Chanderpaul left hanging on 138 not out.
The Windwards, notorious for meek second innings batting, disintegrated in their second innings to slip to 87 for eight before Orlanzo Jackson with 37 not out and Deighton Butler with 30 not out, combined in a 70-run, ninth wicket partnership to steer their side to safety at 157 for eight at the close.
For the second time in one game at Bourda, Guyana's queer strategy of playing only two
specialist bowlers was shown up as they found themselves short on penetrative bowlers and could not finish the Windwards off.
Guyana lost the wickets of Vishal Nagamootoo (16) to a wild and irresponsible swipe while Reon King and a hobbling Ryan Ramdass, went for ducks within half an hour of the
morning.
Man-of-the-Match Butler got the last two, caught by wicketkeeper Lyndon James and
finished with a five-wicket haul for 81 runs from 29.3 overs.
TWO WICKETS EACH
Reon King (four for 24) and Damodar Daesrath then broke into the reshuffled Windwards top order to leave them at 10 for four. Each took two wickets
as the Windwards stuttered, a result of sloppy batting, spirited bowling and tough umpiring decisions that went against them.
Rawle Lewis (17) and Shane Shillingford (12) then added 30 before they both departed to catches by Ramnaresh Sarwan at slip off pacer King and leg
spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo (one for 21 from 19 overs).
Lewis played forward to a delivery from Nagamootoo which turned viciously but video replays suggested that it missed his bat by inches.
Another mini partnership then ensued between Craig Emmanuel (17) and Alvin La Fuille (13) both of whom were suffering from leg injuries and had to be shifted down the order.
They took the score to 73 but by 87 both were gone to leave Guyana with a chance for a come-from behind victory but their lack of bowling depth proved their downfall.
Butler and Jackson, as they had done in the first innings, blocked everything sent their way and posted 70 for the ninth wicket to deny Guyana of any optimistic thoughts they may have had.
Jackson spent 93 minutes gathering 37 and Butler 141 minutes over 30 to add to his first innings 26 and his five-wicket haul.
The Windwards, who next face Jamaica, take home six points and Guyana, who battle Leeward Islands, got 3.
