Saint Lucia secured the 2024 WINLOTT Windward Islands Under-15 Male Cricket Championship with a narrow five-run victory over Dominica on Sunday at the Gros-Islet Playing Field.
It was a high-pressure final, marked by early dominance from the Dominican team, who opted to field after winning the toss. Immediately, Saint Lucia found themselves at the mercy of the bowlers, losing wickets at astonishing intervals.
Starting from the very first ball, Saint Lucia's innings was riddled with collapses. They lost their first wicket for no runs, followed by disastrous scores of 3, 5, and just 21 runs before managing to settle down. By the end of the first power play, they had lost five wickets for merely 34 runs. The batting order seemed to disintegrate, with the team staggering to complete their innings at just 115 runs—truly surprising for the home crowd.
It was Kaleb Charles who emerged as the top scorer for Saint Lucia, managing to contribute 31 runs to the total. Closely following him were Samuel Jean with 22 runs, and both Kerlan Daniel and Curdin Jones adding 12 runs each. The extras counted significantly as well, with 22 runs from byes, leg-byes, wides, and no-balls.
Dominica’s bowlers wreaked havoc throughout the innings, most remarkably Kelan Christmas, who achieved outstanding figures of 4 wickets for just 12 runs across 5.5 overs. Other notable performances came from Jershaun Joseph, who took 2 for 11, and Dylan John with 2 for 29.
But the drama didn't end there. Dominica, set to chase 116 runs for victory, also found themselves struggling under pressure. They quickly lost their first wicket for only 2 runs, followed by scores of 11, 45, and 47, showing the same pattern of vulnerability as Saint Lucia. The constant pressure from Saint Lucia's bowlers made every run seem hard-earned, leading to Dominica collapsing at 110 runs all out within 37 overs.
The Dominican effort was spearheaded by Zaiden Cornelius, who managed to score 33 runs, closely supported by his teammate Kelan Christmas with 31 runs. Elon Pascal also chipped in with 12 runs, but as the innings progressed, wickets fell rapidly and regularly. The extras for Dominica totaled 16, made up of byes, leg-byes, and wides.
Kaleb Charles didn't just shine with the bat; he stole the show with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 24 runs over 7.5 overs, making him the standout player of the match. Jean-Claude Emmanuel also made significant contributions with 3 wickets for 41 runs, and both Daniel Lorde and Jeanille Williams chipped defensively, each taking one wicket.
After the match, the exhilaration among the Saint Lucian players and their supporters was palpable, as they celebrated their dramatic victory and Charles’s recognition as Man-of-the-Match for his fantastic all-round display. The match embodied the spirit of youth cricket, showcasing talent, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of the sport.
This championship victory marked only the beginning of what could be fruitful careers for these young cricketers, with their talents sure to be nurtured as they progress. For Saint Lucia, winning the 2024 WINLOTT Windward Islands Under-15 Male Cricket Championship not only promises them accolades but also sets the foundation for greater aspirations within the sport.
