Devon Thomas saves Hurricanes
Devon Thomas hit his third first-class hundred and a career-best knock from Akeem Saunders, defying a destructive spell from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, that carried Leeward Islands Hurricanes to within reach of a stunning come-from-behind victory over Barbados Pride in the Regional 4-Day Championship before they settled for a draw.
Thomas hit the top score of 103 – his first hundred in two years - and Saunders supported with a resolute 64 – his first ever half-century – that propelled the Hurricanes to 286 for eight – just shy of the target of 312 set earlier on the final day of their sixth-round match at Warner Park.
CRUMBLING
The pair defied the Pride attack for close to two hours either side of tea with a stand of 108 for the fifth wicket after the Hurricanes looked in danger of crumbling on 133 for four.
They separated about an hour after tea and the Pride attack, led by Warrican with 6-89 from 28 overs, made a big push for the win, but the Hurricanes tail-enders chose discretion as the best part of valour to bat in the closing stages.
The result meant that Pride – entering the match in fifth position on 48 points – earned 8.8 points, gaining three for the result, two batting points after reaching 265 for seven at the 110over threshold in their first innings, three bowling points and 0.8 pace bowling points.
Hurricanes – starting the match in fourth on 49.6 points – finished with 7.4 points that consisted of three for the result, one batting point, two bowling points and 1.4 pace bowling points.