Leewards light work for Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago defeated the Leeward Islands with a day to spare despite a brilliant century from captain Stuart Williams on the third day of their seventh-round Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series match at the Addelita Cancryn Ground yesterday.

The Leeward Islands, set a daunting 525 for victory in a minimum of 76 overs plus the fourth day, were bowled out for 344 in 69 overs and five balls as left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed grabbed four wickets.

Trinidad and Tobago had earlier extended their overnight total from 313 for four wickets to 379 for seven declared, as Man Of The Match Brian Lara went on to make 152 after resuming on 110.

The defeat destroyed any hopes the Leewards had of securing a top-four semifinal berth in the Carib Beer 2003 International Shield.

Trinidad and Tobago are provisionally second on 43 points, but must await the outcome of the remaining games to be sure of their status.

Williams, who reverted to his customary opening position after Trinidadian skipper Daren Ganga declared an hour and ten minutes before lunch, smashed 30 fours and a six in his 167, which lasted for 225 minutes and 133 balls.

The Leewards' captain first lost Alex Adams (13) with the score on 48 when the Anguillan was caught by Lara on the mid-wicket boundary, hooking pacer Merv Dillon.

Williams had shown his intentions early with his severe treatment of big fast bowler Marlon Black, whose first three overs went for 40 runs.

In Georgetown, Guyana, Windward Islands skipper Rawl Lewis led by example with a maiden unbeaten 117 but Guyana secured first innings points and maintained hopes of a Shield semifinal spot at the Albion Community Development Centre ground.

Guyana, enjoying a lead of 105, were 27 without loss at stumps after the Windwards were dismissed for 307.

The win they need to guarantee themselves a semifinal spot can only come today from quick, productive batting and very incisive bowling.

In Kingston, Jamaica, India `A' got half-centuries from Ambati Rayudu and Abhijit Kale in a tense battle for victory against Jamaica on the third day of their crucial seventh-round match at Sabina Park yesterday.

The Indians, set 285 runs to win, closed at 212 for five - 73 runs away from the target - with Kale not out on 50 and Jai Yadav on eight.

After pacer Avishkar Salvi's five-wicket haul limited Jamaica to 273 all out in the morning and ensured the target was manageable, Rayudu struck 66.