Tony Becca, Contributing Editor
The Windward Islands Devon Smith sweeps for runs while Jamaica's wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jnr. (left) reacts and Chrish Gayle looks on from the slips on day one of their final round Carib Beer Series cricket match at Alpart yesterday. Smith scored 121. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
GRENADA'S LITTLE dynamo, the left-handed Devon Smith, stole the spotlight with a superb century innings on the opening day of the Carib Beer series cricket match between Jamaica and the Windward Islands at Alpart yesterday.
Batting at number one after the Windward Islands had won the toss and decided to bat on a pitch so shine that it glistened in the morning's sunshine, the 23-year-old West Indies batsman not only scored 121 to tick off his second century of the series, but in the process entertained the gathering with some lovely strokes.
In an innings that lasted for 236 minutes during which he faced 183 deliveries, Smith stroked 13 boundaries off the back foot, off the front foot, off both pace and spin and on both sides of the pitch before, five minutes before tea, he swept at offspinner Gareth Breese, missed, and was bowled leg stump at 188 for seven.
At stumps, however, the honours belonged to Jamaica who, with the title already in the bag and the match of statistical interest only, bowled out the Windward Islands, falling for 212.
IN COMMAND
Captain Wavell Hinds and Christopher Gayle on 37 and 12 respectively, were in command at 53 without loss and looking a good bet to finish the 10-match league on a winning note.
Although Breese pocketed the prized scalp of Smith, the heroes for Jamaica were Dwight Washington, the big fast bowler who finished with career-best figures of four for 18 off 15 overs; and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, who equalled his best with four for 27 off 17.4 overs.
Bowling fast and accurate, Washington got the ball to bounce appreciably.
With Smith and Alvin La Fuille posting 60 for the first wicket, Washington got Jamaica on the way when he removed La Fuille for 17 - the right-hander going back and edging a catch to Breese at second slip. He also got Andre Fletcher for one at 70 for two - the right-hander going back, failing to get on top of a slower delivery that bounced awkwardly, and saw him tapping a catch to Hinds at mid-off.
Washington's other victims were the dangerous Rawl Lewis - the visiting captain, and the hard-hitting and also dangerous left-hander Deighton Butler.
Lewis, on seven and attempting an ondrive, lobbed a catch to Odean Brown at wide mid-on to make it 173 for five, and Butler was leg before wicket for three at 211 for nine.
With right-arm legspinner Odean Brown pulling Junior Murray, seven, out of his crease and Carlton Baugh Jnr. whipping off the bails in a flash to make it 86 for three, with Smith and Darren Sammy posting 71 for the fourth wicket, Miller trapped Sammy leg before wicket for 27 at 157 for four, trapped Lyndon James leg before wicket for two at 182 for six, removed Shane Shillingford, caught by Baugh, for seven at 203 for eight, and wrapped up the innings when last man Xavier Gabriel attempted to drive through the offside and was caught by Washington at point.
With Hinds hooking left-arm pacer Butler for six in the first over, with Gayle going onto the back foot and reeling off a lovely square-cut off Butler, Jamaica started their reply confidently and although they did not go on to score as fast as the start suggested they would, the timing of both batsmen was such that they appeared in the mood for a huge partnership.
