Sept. 14, 2007 — Nevis was 233 runs ahead of the Combined Virgin Islands after securing a first-inning lead of 43 in cricket action Friday at the Owen Schjang Ballpark on St. Croix.
The visitors, in their second innings, were well on their way to setting a challenging score in this Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA) three-day match — one they hope their bowlers will be able to defend.
Nevis was sailing along at 190 for six when rain halted play minutes after they had resumed play from the tea break.
Opening bat Keiron Powell gave Nevis a good start before he was caught off the bowling of CVI Captain Maxford Pipe for a well-played 54 that included four fours and a six. After losing fellow opener Shervin Woodley with the score on 24, Powell and number-three batsman Kejel Tyson put on 45 runs for the second wicket before Tyson was caught off the bowling of Terrence Webb for 14.
With the score now at 69 for two, Powell was joined by Tonito Willet. The pair put on another 29 runs before Powell was out, caught off the bowling of Pipe. Willet batted well, and although the tail order seemed to crumble around him at times, he was a well-played 60 at the time of the rain delay. He shared a 44-run partnership with the number seven batsman, Joel Simmonds, which helped to ease the pressure.
Simmonds was the last man out before the rain delay. He made a useful 23 while occupying the crease long enough to help Willett move the score along. Willet, whose 60 includes eight fours, was joined at the crease by Trevian Smithen minutes before the rains came.
Maxford Pipe led the CVI bowlers at the break with three wickets for 54 runs off 15 overs that included four maidens. Teammates Terrence Webb and Dane Weston were two for 55 and one for 15, respectively. Webb had so far bowled 13 over with three maidens, while Weston bowled six overs.
After the rains passed, the umpires, coaches, and ground’s crew inspected the playing surface to determine when play could be resumed.
Earlier in the day, the CVI got bowled out cheaply for 174 off of 44 overs. The home side got a useful knock of 41 from Sherville Huggings that included six fours. Dorian Auguiste contributed with a well-played 40 that also included six fours. Opener Mark Vitalis hammered a quick-fire 34 that included six fours and a six.
The Nevis bowling attack was led by Tonito Willet, who returned figures of 10 overs, two maidens, four for 41. Younger brother Akito Willet also had an excellent bowling spell with figures of seven overs, one maiden and three wickets for a meager 13 runs, while Junie Williams bowled 10 overs with four maidens while taking two wickets for 22 runs.
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