JAMAICA: In a surprising move, a team in West Indies’ domestic league declared their first innings on 24 for 7 in 18.3 overs before lunch on day one of the four-day match.
This unusual decision came after Leeward Islands, asked to bat after losing the toss, lost their seven wickets for just 24 runs against Windward Islands in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament match at Windsor Park in Dominica on Saturday, according to a report in espncricinfo.com.
Though the decision looked unusual, it appeared to be a strategic one and was probably made because of concerns over a deteriorating pitch. But the Windward Islands taking the first innings lead without losing a wicket suggested that the pitch wasn’t as bad as Leeward Islands might have thought.
For the Windward Islands, it was a perfect morning as their bowlers provided them a great start after winning the toss and choosing to field. The hosts picked up four wickets for just 3 runs and then another two when the score reached 11.
Orlando Peters of Leeward Islands, who made 11 not out, was the only batsman to score more than 5 runs. After the fall of wicketkeeper RJ Peters, with the score at 24 for 7, captain Steve Liburd, who couldn’t even open the account, declared the innings despite having three wickets in hand. Mervin Matthew, Kevin McLean and Kenroy Peters took two wickets each for Windward Islands, and one batsman – Shane Jeffers – was run-out.
Windward Islands, batting before the lunch break, lost their first wicket after taking the lead. Devon Smith was the first to go and three quick wickets followed to leave them at 36 for 4. However, the biggest partnership of the game between opener Tyrone Theophile (54 not out) and wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher (31), ensured that Windward Islands ended the day on 104 for 5.
In all, 12 wickets fell on the first day of the four-day encounter on which only 43.3 overs were bowled.
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