West Indies Domestic: Semi finals - here we come!

The Leeward Islands cricket team made it up to their fans this weekend as they romped to a innings victory over a strong Jamaican team at the Antigua Recreation Ground. The Jamaicans fielded nine players who had played for the West Indies at some point in their career and a wicket keeper who had already played for the West Indies `A' team. To say that this was a tremendous victory for the Leewards would be an understatement.

Upon winning the toss, Leewards captain, Ridley Jacobs placed his opponents in to bat on a wicket that was sure to aid his pacers early on. The decision proved to be decisive as the mighty jamaicans were skittled out for just 153. Only Robert Samuels (45) and Ricardo Powell (38) managed to put together substantial scores as star West Indian pacer Curtley Ambrose reeked havoc on his home ground. Ambrose's figures of 22 overs, 16 maidens, 4 for 15 proved that he is still one of the greatest class acts around. Fellow pacer Carl Tuckett also chipped in with 3 for 32.

In reply, the Leewards displayed their immense natural ability that has been so rarely seen by their fans recently. After opener, Anguillian Alex Adams was caught, driving off the bowling of Franklyn Rose for just 17, Wilden Cornwall (70) and young Sylvester `Bouncin' Joseph (32) put together a 94 run partnership that stabalised the top order. However, the performer performed again. Courtney Walsh was able to get the breakthrough as he had Joseph playing on to his stumps. A flurry of quick wickets brought together 21 year -old Runako Morton (110) and Ambrose (33) who shared in a 105 run partnership. It proved to be the highlight of the match as young Morton scored his maiden first class hundred. He mixed aggression with patience and displayed a fine array of strokes around the ground. His only scare was when he was missed stumped by Sinclair when he was on 99. A mistake that Morton will not want to repeat. Ambrose alerted his fans that he was still more then useful with the bat as the Leewards amassed 338 all out. Both Walsh and Laurie Williams claimed three scalps.

Facing a deficit of 185 was not going to be easy against a fired up Leeward Islands side that was hungry for a birth in the semi finals. The all pace attack of the Leewards proved too much for the Jamaicans to handle as they were bowled out, yet again, under 200 for just 139. Antiguan Kerry Jeremy celebrated his 20th birthday with fine figures of 5 for 40. It was his first five-wicket hall in first class cricket and will definitely not be his last. Only Laurie Williams batted valiantly as he put together 50 before he was caught and bowled by Tuckett. Ambrose again ended with miserly figures of 13 overs, 2 for 7.

It proved to be a total turnaround from last week's display against the Guyanese and hopefully this win signals the start of a new feature in Leeward Islands cricket: consistency.