Scarborough, Tobago, CMC — West Indies batsman Johnson Charles stroked a career-best hundred to help Windward Islands Volcanoes beat Barbados Pride by 55 runs and eliminate the defending champions from the NAGICO Super50 here Monday.
Playing at Shaw Park, the Windwards rattled up an imposing 374 for six off 50 overs, with the right-handed opener Charles blasting 177 off 124 deliveries – the highest ever score in the tournament’s history. He smashed 12 fours and 11 sixes as he pounded the Barbados attack while Smith faced 29 balls and counted six fours and a six.
Sunil Ambris and Shane Shillingford both stroked 45 down the order while opener Devon Smith chimed in with 37 and Keddy Lesporis, 31.
Seamer Javon Searles led for Barbados with three for 60 as the entire attack suffered at the hands of Charles’ onslaught.
In reply, captain Kevin Stoute hammered a cameo top score of 82 at the top of the order and though Shamarh Brooks (61) and Shai Hope (58) chipped in with half-centuries, the order was simply too tall for the Barbadians.
They finished on 319 all out off 49 overs as left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson with four for 63 and off-spinner Shane Shillingford, with two for 62, undermined the innings.
Summarized Scores:
Windward Islands Volcanoes Innings: 374/6 (50 Overs). Johnson Charles 177, Shane Shillingford 45, Sunil Ambris 45, Devon Smith 37; Javon Searles 9-0-60-3, Jomel Warrican 10-1-65-1, Ashley Nurse 6-0-45-1, Kevin Stoute 7-0-62-1.
Barbados Pride Innings: 319 All Out (49 Overs). Kevin Stoute* 82, Shai Hope 58, Shamarh Brooks 61, Kraigg Brathwaite 38; Delorn Johnson 9-0-63-4, Shane Shillingford 10-0-62-2, Liam Sebastien 10-0-55-1, Mervin Mathew 9-0-54-1.
Windward Islands Volcanoes won by 55 runs