Roseau, Dominica: Dominica secured victory in the three-day match of the inaugural Windward Islands U23 bi-lateral series over the weekend. The team defeated Saint Lucia by six wickets at the Mindoo Phillip Park in the first of two 50-over matches.
The match was started when Dominica won the toss and sent Saint Lucia to take first knock on a wicket with excessive early morning moisture. However, the rough pitch made the batting tough for the team and provided benefit to the bowlers.
Due to this, the host team was all out after making 214 runs in 42.1 overs. However, the performance of the all-rounder Lee John captured the attention of the audience as he scored most of the runs by playing an inning of 83 runs including 5 fours and 6 sixes.
In addition to that, the triple centurion Ackeen Auguste and skipper for the 50-over matches played an inning of 48 runs off 70 deliveries. He hit 4 fours and one six and gave good momentum to his teams.
Noelle Leo scored 30, Jayden Elibox 22, and extras contributed 15.
Bowling for Dominica Under-23, T Leblanc took 3 for 15, MI Xavier 3 for 32, S Caesar 2 for 37, and K Phillip 1 for 51, as wickets fell at 45, 63, 64, 67, 101, 147, 153, 162, 165, and 214.
In response, Dominica Under-23 reached 220 for 4 in 39.5 overs, and lost wickets fell at 12, 80, 99, and 105. The victory charge was led by C Leblanc with 87 not out, K George 15 not out, skipper Stephan Pascal 40, and JN Alexander 36. There were 27 extras, and the wickets to fall were taken by Jayden Elibox 1 for 22, Simeon Gerson 1 for 23, Lee John 1 for 45, and Tyrell Chicot 1 for 48, as Dominica Under-23 won by six wickets.
The match has remained exciting as Ackeem Auguste scored the highest individual score of 302 by a St Lucian in any format of the game. Ackeem Auguste converted his overnight score of 191 to record his first double century. His dominant knock featured 19 fours and 11 sixes and took 219 balls to accomplish. St Lucia has now overhauled the Dominica first innings score and are on 370 for 8 in 81 overs.
