CAYON, St. Kitts (CMC):

Leeward Islands captain Sylvester Joseph lashed an even, unbeaten century, but could not prevent Jamaica from snatching an exciting six-wicket win at St. Mary's Park yesterday.

The 32-year-old's knock was the foundation of the Leewards' 232 for six in their allotted 50 overs, but Jamaica got half-centuries from Brenton Parchment, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Tamar Lambert to reach 233 for five off 49 overs.

Sent in to bat after Jamaica won the toss, Leewards slipped to 82 for five before Joseph and Omari Banks, who continued his good form with 76, came to their rescue.

They shared a 148-run sixth- wicket stand that defied the Jamaica bowlers and steered the hosts out of danger.

Joseph's century came from 122 balls and comprised six fours and one six while Banks faced 89 balls and hit three fours and two sixes.

The right-handed Joseph reached his milestone off the last ball of the innings when he collected two runs down to long-off, after Justin Athanaze had taken a single off the fifth ball of the over.

Shaky start

Leewards had earlier started shakily, losing Shane Jeffers in the first over without scoring, offering no stroke to Jerome Taylor.

He was quickly followed by opening partner Austin Richards who miscued a pull to cover off Taylor to depart for 13. Leewards slipped further into trouble at 49 for three when Samuels' direct hit from short midwicket sent Steve Liburd on his way for 17.

Joseph and Wilden Cornwall added 33 for the fourth wicket but two wickets fell in as many balls to leave Leewards at the crossroads.

Cornwall, essaying a flashing square cut, edged to Carlton Baugh Jr. at the wicket off David Bernard Jr. and the next ball, Tonito Willett also fell to a catch behind.

Bernard finished with two for 20 while Taylor had two for 47.

Jamaica started solidly but moderately, with Parchment (63) and Gayle (54) adding 103 for the first wicket.

Gayle smashed eight fours in his 58-ball knock before he fell in the 26th over to a catch at the wicket off medium pacer Gavin Tonge.

Parchment struck six fours and three sixes from 101 balls before being bowled by off-spinner Banks, giving himself room to cut with the score on 131 for two.

Captain Wavell Hinds was out without scoring when he top-edged an attempted slog-sweep to Joseph at first slip off Banks to leave Jamaica stuttering at 134 for three.

But Lambert, with an unbeaten 51 from 52 balls and seven fours and Samuels, who hit an even 50 from 63 balls, added 85 for the fourth wicket to give the innings impetus.

Needing 14 runs from 15 deliveries at the end, Samuels held out to Liburd at deep midwicket off Tonge and Baugh was run out for one, but Lambert held firm to ensure Jamaica's triumph.

Banks finished with two for 40 while Tonge claimed two for 62.

Leewards Innings

A Richards c Parchment b Taylor