da bwin： The Leeward Islands are once again scrapping the bottom of thebarrel after a keenly contested match Busta Cup match this pastweekend at the Antigua Recreation Ground
Zach Kenworthy, The Anguillian06-Feb-2000The Leeward Islands are once again scrapping the bottom of thebarrel after a keenly contested match Busta Cup match this pastweekend at the Antigua Recreation Ground. In an attempt to stirup some motivation within the team, the selectors made a fewchanges that proved to be of no use. Stuart Williams, due toinjury, and Colin Cannonier, due to personal circumstances, werereplaced by Anguillian Alex Adams and Antiguan Wilden Cornwall.Ricky Christopher also made his debut after the in form CarlTuckett fell sick with fish poisoning.Upon winning the toss, Guyanese captain Shivnarine Chanderpaulasked the Leewards to bat on a pitch that looked as if it wouldhelp the pacers early. This proved to be a wise decision as thefirst three wickets fell for just 54 runs. Adams (14) andCornwall (22) were both impatient and were caught off the bowlingof Reon King. Wickets fell at regular intervals as both King (4for 40) and Mahendra Nagamootoo (4 for 51) bowled with venom andrip. Only a 64 run partnership between skipper Ridley Jacobs (60)and Warrington Phillip (33) added some respectability to theLeeward,s scorecard of 221 all out.In Reply the Guyanese started badly. Nicholas DeGroot was struckby Ambrose and it was confirmed overnight that his hand wasbroken and his fellow opener Azemul Haniff was dismissed for just4. Quite similarly to the Leeward’s first innings wickets fellregularly. Only Keith Semple (51) and captain ShivnarineChanderpaul (83) managed substantial scores. Semple batted withgrit and determination and Chanderpaul looked like he wasregaining form as he grew in confidence with every shot heplayed. Despite his class display, Chanderpaul,s men weredismissed well short of the Leeward,s first innings total forjust 204. Christopher took 4 for 47 on his debut and was ablysupported by fellow pacer Kerry Jeremy who claimed 3 scalps.In an attempt to build on their first innings lead, the LeewardIslanders lost their footing and crashed to 136 all out. It wasanother poor batting display by some talented men. The onlypartnership of any merit was between openers Adams (34) andCornwall (21) who were both dropped early. Adams, however, wasquestionably adjudged lbw by umpire Eddie Nicholls and lookedsomewhat dejected as he trailed back to the pavillion. King (3for 43) once again bowled well and Nagamootoo took his matchtally to 8 wickets as he claimed 4 for 45.A target of 154 runs was never going to be easy in the fourthinnings of a match and Curtly Ambrose once again proved his worthwith magnificent figures of 5 for 39 from 34 overs. Makeshiftopener Neil McGarrel proved a success as he scored a determined54 and was well aided by Chanderpaul who scored 31. In the end itwas to be Guyana’s day as pacer Colin Stewart guided the balldown to the third man boundary of Jeremy with DeGroot at theother end with a broken hand.It was once again a disappointment for the Leewards as they sankto 5th place in a 6-team tournament. With one match to play, itmay be time for some young, fresh legs to take the field.However, it seems very unlikely that any changes will be made atall. Isn’t it a pity?