Kaleb Charles had a superb all-round effort against the Commonwealth of Dominica, leading Team Saint Lucia to a crucial victory in the WINLOTT Windward Islands Under-15 Cricket Championships at the Gros Islet Mini Stadium on Sunday.
With this victory, Team Saint Lucia solidified its position at the top of the table, dethroning the defending champions, Dominica in the process.
Saint Lucia defeated the Nature Isle squad in a closely contested low-scoring match.
Batting first, Saint Lucia scored 115, demonstrating their battling spirit. Kaleb Charles led the batting effort with a strong 31 off 24 balls, while Samuel Jean supplied a solid 22 not out.
With little contributions from the lower order, and Dominica allowing 22 extras, Saint Lucia laid a solid foundation for the win. Charles then shone with the ball, claiming 5 wickets for 24 runs to bowl Dominica out for 110.
Though Z Cornelius managed a painstaking 33 off 83 deliveries and K Christmas added 31 off 32, they ultimately fell short in their chase, unable to withstand the pressure exerted by the home team.
Amidst the intense challenge, Charles stepped up, embodying leadership and focus to secure victory for Team Saint Lucia. He, along with Samuel Jean and Harry Monzie, played a crucial role in this victory, showcasing their skills throughout the tournament.
Charles’ exceptional performance in the tournament included an impressive haul of nine out of ten wickets against Grenada in the second round, where Saint Lucia dominated, dismissing the Spice Islanders for a mere 80 runs and chasing down the target in just 21.2 overs.
It is concerning that the four respective competing teams, at times, conceded over 20 extras in their matches, an area that the coaching staff must address moving forward.
However, Team Saint Lucia’s head coach Alton Crafton expressed pride in the team’s performance in this “truly nail-biting match,” asserting that “we are stronger for it.”
The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) extends its congratulations to the team, management, parents, and the Ministry of Sports for their commitment and investment in developing these young athletes.
The SLNCA emphasizes: “The work has just begun, and we are dedicated to continuing the development of these young talents.”
Summarized Scores:
– Saint Lucia Under-15: 115 all out (30.5 overs) – Kaleb Charles 31 off 24 (2×4, 3×6), Samuel Jean 22* off 67 (3×4); K Christmas 4/12 (5.5 overs), J Joseph 2/11 (6), D John 2/29 (7).
– Dominica Under-15: 110 all out (36.5 overs) – Z Cornelius 33 off 83 (2×4), K Christmas 31 off 32 (4×4); K Charles 5/24 (7.5), J Emmanuel 3/41 (8).