Team Saint Lucia is geared up for showdown with defending champions the Commonwealth of Dominica today (Wednesday) at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in the ongoing 2024 Winlott Inc Windward Islands Cricket Board Under-15 Championship.
With two consecutive victories in the opening rounds, Saint Lucia has proved its mettle, dominating the tournament so far. The team showcases impressive resilience and determination, currently sitting atop the table as the competition continues to yield thrilling results.
In their last match on Monday, Saint Lucia defeated St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) by four wickets at the DSCG. Despite a rocky start that included several dropped catches, the home team stayed unfazed and controlled the match.
SVG was limited to a mere 148 all out in 38.5 overs, primarily thanks to the efforts of seamers Harry Monzie and Curdin Jones, who delivered a fierce opening spell.
SVG struggled early, finding themselves in trouble at 43/2 in the 12th over. Delroy Tittle tried to mount a comeback, but his efforts were cut short as he retired hurt after scoring a labourious 14 off 58 balls.
The spin attack was equally effective, with leg spinner Trevern Edward striking crucial blows, including that of Jorden Charles, who fell for 19 runs. Edward also dismissed Eldon Baptiste as SVG’s innings faltered at 136.
Despite Tittle’s return, partnerships failed to materialize, and Alexander Jordan emerged as the mainstay, posting a crucial top score of 43 runs. Nevertheless, SVG collapsed to 145 all out, with Daniel Lorde and Samuel Jean excelling in bowling with three wickets each.
Saint Lucia’s batting faced early challenges as they lost Lorde for just 2 runs. However, Kyle Stephen’s outstanding performance steadied the ship.
Stephen added a significant 50 runs with Edward for the second wicket, eventually scoring 56 runs off 57 balls, including 8 fours and a six. Captain Jeanille Williams stepped up to finish the innings, scoring an unbeaten 26 runs and leading his team to victory at 149/6 in just 31.1 overs.
Although Saint Lucia could have performed even better with the bat, Stephen’s solid innings ensured their second consecutive win, solidifying their position at the top of the table.
Earlier in the tournament, Saint Lucia crushed Grenada by a convincing 8 wickets. After they were sent to bat first, Grenada was bowled out for just 115 in 32.2 overs, with J Wickham scoring 35 and K Abraham adding 17.
The home side’s bowlers were relentless, with J Williams claiming 3/21 and D Lorde impressively taking 3/7 in just 2.2 overs.
In response, Saint Lucia chased down the target with ease, finishing at 116/5 in 26.4 overs, led by J Williams with 33* and K Stephens with 22 runs. Lorde not only excelled with the ball but also started the innings behind the stumps, showcasing his versatility.
Despite a few inconsistencies in the field, captain Williams’s steady knock ensured a smooth start to their campaign.
In parallel, SVG showcased their dominance by defeating Dominica by seven wickets at the Gros Islet Playing Field, with Dominica scraping to 96 all out. SVG’s successful chase of 97 runs in a mere 15.2 overs further highlights the competitive stakes of this championship.
Today, all eyes will be on Saint Lucia as they aim to solidify their reign in the championship by overcoming the formidable Commonwealth of Dominica.