Rahkeem Cornwall’s maiden regional one-day hundred was enough for Leeward Islands Hurricanes to earn their first win of the NAGICO Super50, with a 48-run verdict over West Indies Under-19s here Sunday.
The burly 21-year-old clobbered an unbeaten 113 from a mere 70 deliveries, an innings that powered the Leewards to a decent 231 for eight after they were sent in at the National Cricket Centre.
Opener Austin Richards chipped in with 36 and captain Devon Thomas, 30, but no other batsman made it past 15 as the Leewards lost wickets in clusters. Seamer Odean Smith was the best bowler with three for 37 while off-spinner Ramaal Lewis picked up two for 34.
In reply, West Indies Under-19s then squandered a healthy start of 63 by openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (26) and Shimron Hetmyer (24), to slide to 183 for nine off their 50 allotted overs. Roland Cato top scored with 46 while Kacey Karty got 26.
Off-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr (2-24) and seamers Jeremiah Louis (2-29) and Gavin Tonge (2-38), all finished with two wickets apiece.
Entering yesterday’s contest in search of points after losing their opener to Jamaica Franchise by nine wickets on Friday, the Leewards made a dodgy start when they lost Montcin Hodge (1) and Steve Liburd (1) cheaply inside the first seven overs to plunge to 16 for two.
However, Richards hit five fours in a 50-ball knock and Thomas, three fours off 59 deliveries, to repair the innings with a third wicket stand of 60.
Once Richards was lbw to Lewis in the 22nd over, four wickets tumbled for 39 runs to leave the Leewards tottering on 115 for six in the 35th.
Cornwall then came to their rescue with a typically aggressive innings, hammering 12 fours and seven sixes to wrench the advantage away from the Under-19s. He dominated an 82-run, seventh wicket stand with Walsh (6) as the Leewards rallied to make a strong finish.
Chanderpaul and Hetmyer then gave the Under-19 a cautious start before the innings fell apart in the space of 18 balls. Hetmyer was bowled by Lewis in the 18th over and off the very next ball, new batsman Amir Jangoo was lbw without scoring.
And the Leewards were on top when seamer Orlando Peters trapped Chanderpaul in front in the 21st over, to leave the Under-19s stumbling on 69 for three. Cato, who faced 71 balls and struck four fours, then anchored three small stands to keep the innings afloat. He put on 38 for the fourth wicket with Carty, another 35 for the fifth with Keemo Paul (13) before adding 27 for the sixth wicket with Shamar Springer (11). Cato was seventh out, perishing via the run out route.
