THE Gros Islet Under-19 Cricket Team registered a mammoth 196 runs victory over Babonneau as the inaugural Sandal 50 over cup in collaboration with the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association.
At the Gros Islet playing field, the home team Gros Islet captained by West Indies Under-19 opening batsman Kimani Melius won the toss and elected to take first knock in a game reduced to 45 overs a side due to a late start made 292 all out in 34.2 overs.
West Indies Under-16 player Garvin Serieux top scored with a well-played 87 which included 4 fours and 8 sixes.
Kimani Melius made a breath-taking 58 with 6 fours and 5 sixes off 13 balls, his fastest fifty in his career.
Melius scored 32 runs off the second over bowled in the match by Zidan Antoine from the road end that included two 4s and four towering sixes.
Gros Islet posted their 50 in the third over with Melius on 38 and Dane Edward on 5. Melius was eventually out adjudged LBW by umpire Delbert Martial for 58 off the bowling of Qwaine Henry with the score on 90 in 7.2 overs.
The hundred was posted in 8.4 overs with Dane Edward on 29 and Jard Goodman on 6. Edward was next out caught by wicketkeeper Akeem Auguste for 29 attempting to sweep Craig Elizee down to backward square (105 for 2).
No. 3 batsman Jard Goodman soon followed caught off the bowing of Amani Venner, he made 38 (148 for 3), Gros Islet soon posted their 150 in 15.1.
Middle order batsman Garvin Serieux continued to add-on the pressure, scoring his 50 that included four 4s and four 6s, while Lee Solomon gave good support before he was next out caught off the bowling of Amari Venner for 34.
Tyrel Chicot did not last too long, LBW off the bowling of Amari Venner for 1 (200 for 5 ); hard hitting batsman Rene Montoute did not trouble the scorers, he went LBW Amari Venner for 0, while Stavon Gabriel was Amani Venner’s fifth wicket of the match, he scored 5.
Garvin Serieux continued his runs – scoring spree before he was out caught off the bowling of Akeem Auguste for 87 which included four 4s and eight 6s; Kymani Sexius bowled by Zidane Antoine for 22; Simeon Gerson 1 caught off the bowling of Akeem Auguste, while UdellPreville remained 0 not out.
Bowling for Babonneau, the leading wicket taker was Windward Islands Under – 15 player Amari Venner, who picked up 5 for 59 in 8 overs; AckeemAuguste with 2 for 48 in 7 .2 overs, Craig Elisee 1 for 40 in 5 overs and Qwaine Henry 1 for 47 in 4 overs
Chasing 293 for victory at a rate of 6.51 runs per over, Gros Islet led by a 5 wicket haul which included a hat trick by Windward Islands Under – 17 player Simeon Gerson, restricted Babonneau to 96 all out in 36.5 overs.
The batsmen to reach double figures were: opening batsman Qwaine Henry caught off the bowling of Simeon Gerson for 16; No. 3 batsman Brendt Jean stumped off the bowling of UdellPreville for 14; while Craig Elisee batting at No. 9 bowled by Kymani Sexius scored 11.
Bowling for Gros Islet, Simeon Gerson picked up 5 for 31 in 9 overs, UdelPreville 3 for 12 in 9 overs, Kymani Sexius 1 for 14 in 3.5 overs and Garvin Serieux 1 for 15 in 4 overs.
