Georgetown, Guyana - Sunil Ambris' stroked a debut First Class century to help the Windward Islands to a solid Day 1 performance against Guyana at Providence Stadium.
It was some choice by the Windward Islands management, opting to replace Dalton Polius, who was not effective against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain. Ambris, therefore, got his chance, and he made full use of it.
The Windwards got a solid start from opener Devon Smith and Tyrone Theophile. Both batsmen put on 65 runs for the first wicket. They had seen out a large part of the first morning before Smith fell for 28.
The first wicket brought another two quick ones for Guyana as the Windward Islands moved from 65/1 to 78/3. Theophile had followed Smith back to the pavilion for 42 while Lesporis failed to score.
Romel Currency tried building a partnership with Ambris and both batsmen were somewhat successful. They put on 29 runs before Davendra Bishoo accounted for Currency.
The Windwards were wobbling at that stage, in an uncertain position of 107/4. But their skipper, Liam Sebastien met with Ambris and both batsmen buckled down for the visitors.
They put on 156 runs together, almost seeing out the day's play. Ambris struck his first First Class century in his first First Class innings. He batted for well over three hours, facing 200 balls and hitting 17 boundaries.
Close to the end of the day's play, Christopher Barnwell would get him adjudged Leg Before Wicket for 114. Guyana would get another quick wicket as Lyndon James was also trapped LBW by Barnwell.
Sebastien safely saw out the day at the crease, finishing unbeaten on 60 runs. He has so far faced 133 balls, hitting eight fours. Alston Bobb is with him on four.
Veerasammy Permaul was Guyana's best bowler, taking 3-69. Barnwell also finished with two crucial wickets near the end of Day 1. The second day's play starts at 10am Eastern Caribbean Time tomorrow.
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Summary Scores:
Windward Islands 1st Innings: 289/6 (92 Overs). Sunil Ambris 114, Liam Sebastien* 60*, Tyrone Theophile 42, Devon Smith 28; Veerasammy Permaul 25-5-69-3, Christopher Barnwell 16-4-42-2, Davendra Bishoo 21-8-44-1, Narsingh Deonarine 23-9-48-0.
Stumps, Day 1
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Windward Islands 1st Innings
D Smith Fudadin b Permaul 28
T Theophile LBW Permaul 42
S Ambris LBW Barnwell 114
K Lesporis c Bramble b Permaul 0
R Currency c Bramble b Bishoo 15
Liam* Sebastien not out 60
L James+ LBW Barnwell 0
A Bobb not out 4
Total: 289/6 (92 Overs)
Extras: (8b,14 lb, 1w, 3nb) 26
Still to Bat: Nelon Pascal, Kenroy Peters, Delorn Johnson
Fall of Wickets: 1-65, 2-78, 3-78, 4-107, 5-263, 6-263
Guyana 1st Innings Bowling: N Deonarine 23-9-48-0, K Joseph 7-0-52-0, C Barnwell 16-4-42-2, V Permaul 25-5-69-3, D Bishoo 21-8-44-1, A Fudadin 1-0-12-0.
State of Match: Windward Islands are 289/6 in their 1st Innings
Points-to-date: Guyana 2 (2 bowling points), Windwards 2 (2 batting battings)
Umpires: Leslie Reifer & Nandkumar Shivsankar
Standby Umpire: Colin Alfred
Reserve Umpire: Reon King