Rain proved the spoiler as Windward Islands Volcanoes’ much anticipated run chase never materialised, ensuring their final round match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the West Indies Championship finished in a stalemate in Port-of-Spain on Saturday.
Needing to overhaul a massive 416 for victory at Queen’s Park Oval in order to clinch the regional first class title, Volcanoes carried their overnight 112 for one to 184 for four at lunch, before rain wiped out any hopes of play in the second session.
When action resumed at 3 pm with a session left, Volcanoes limped to 296 for seven before bad light ended play, in a disappointing end to an absorbing contest.
Opener Stephan Pascal added only three to his overnight 60 while Johann Jeremiah turned his unbeaten 23 at the start into 53, the pair extending their second wicket stand to 60 before being separated.
Captain and Test left-hander Alick Athanaze, pivotal to any successful chase, went cheaply for eight, caught at the wicket off one from left-arm spinner Daniel Doram (4-65) which squared him up.
His Test teammate Kavem Hodge also failed to make an impact, scoring 16 before picking out Justin Greaves at short cover with an ill-advised drive at Doram.
Sunil Ambris, who made a breezy 32 from 41 balls with five fours, posted an important 43 with Jeremiah for the fifth wicket, a stand which saw his side safely to lunch without further loss.
Rain during the interval was the decisive factor, taking precious time out of the game but when Hurricanes struck twice on the resumption to remove both batsmen and reduce the innings to 227 for six, a result seemed on the cards.
However, Shamar Springer (35 not out) and Jervin Benjamin (22) added an invaluable 64 for the seventh wicket to frustrate Hurricanes’ victory bid.
CMC
HURRICANES 300 all out (Mikyle Louis 100, Jewel Andrew 68, Jeremiah Louis 43, Jahmar Hamilton 34; Ryan John 3-67, Gilon Tyson 2-33, Daren Cyrus 2-70) and 294 all out (Keacy Carty 65, Mikyle Louis 33, Kieran Powell 31, Justin Greaves 27, Jewel Andrew 26, Jahmar Hamilton 23, Oshane Thomas 21, Colin Archibald 20; Kavem Hodge 3-60, Gilon Tyson 3-91, Shamar Springer 2-32, Darel Cyrus 2-84).
VOLCANOES 179 all out (Johann Jeremiah 41, Shamar Springer 33, Kavem Hodge 29, Stephan Pascal 25; Daniel Doram 6-34, Hayden Walsh Jr 3-21) and 296 for seven (Stephan Pascal 63, Johann Jeremiah 51, Shamar Springer 35, Sunil Ambris 32; Daniel Doram 4-65).
Match drawn.