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Day 2: Trinidad take charge

Leeward Islands 148 and 41-2, Trinidad and Tobago 278

Half-centuries from captain Zaheer Ali and middle-order batsman Gregory Mahabir secured first innings lead and put Trinidad and Tobago in a strong position for full points against the Leeward Islands.

An intense struggle for the lead was anticipated but it never materialised as the left-handed pair completed the recovery act they had started at 30 for three the previous evening.

Their fourth-wicket partnership had realised 113 when Tonito Willett won a leg-before wicket decision against Ali. By then, Trinidad needed six only to overhaul their opponents.

Ali's 66 included nine fours and one six. He batted for 192 minutes and faced 171 deliveries.

Kenton Thompson and Mahabir were together at lunch with the lead secured at 150 for four.

Off-spinner Omari Banks took the first of his three wickets (3-52) in the first over after the interval when Thompson was smartly caught at forward short-leg by Leewards captain Branco Payne.

Devon Rogers (23), Rodney Sooklal (35 not out) and Devindra Krishna (19) made healthy contributions to keep Trinidad and Tobago in command.

Mahabir went on to topscore with 70, including three fours, made in 217 minutes off 214 balls.

The main bowling support for Banks came from vice-captain Chaka Hodge whose 24 overs cost only 29 runs for his two wickets.

Shane Jeffers, with an unbeaten 31, helped the Leeward Islands erase 41 of the 130-run first innings deficit in 12 overs before the close.

Day 3: T&T whip Leewards

Philip Hackett

Leeward Islands (148 and 72) lost to Trinidad and Tobago 278 by an innings and 58 runs.

The Leeward Islands disintegrated in just over an hour, bowing to Trinidad and Tobago by an innings and 58 runs, 17. 4 overs into the final day.

Resuming on 41 for two and still requiring another 89 to make Trinidad bat again, the Leewards lost both overnight batsmen within one run of each other and the rapid decline was never checked.

The Leewards desperately needed a win to qualify for the semifinals. But any chance of a cricketing miracle was virtually eliminated when off-spinner Rodney Sooklal struck twice.

He removed Tonito Willett, caught behind, and Shane Jeffers, caught and bowled having added just one to his overnight 31.

Only a ninth-wicket stand of 14 between St.Clair Challenger and Calvin Williams provided any resistance.

Sooklal was again the main destroyer with six for 22 and match figures of ten for 55.