Currency and Ambris get half-centuries to drive Windwards

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) – Romel Currency struck his second successive half-century as Windward Islands prospered on the opening day of their fifth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship against Leeward Islands.romel-currencyThe right-hander stroked 76 as the Windwards, opting to bat first at the National Stadium here yesterday, managed 292 all out and at the close, the Leewards were making a measured reply at 36 for one with Orlando Peters on 18 and captain Kieran Powell on 17.
Currency was joined in the run-getting by Sunil Ambris, whose 53 was his third score over fifty in his last five innings, while opener Devon Smith got 47, Keddy Lesporis 30 and Mervin Matthew hammered a breezy 30 down the order.
The Windwards were off to a good start thanks to their in-form top order. Opener Tyrone Theophile, who eventually made 27, retired hurt with the score on 16 after being struck on the arm by fast bowler Gavin Tonge in the day’s second over.
This left Smith and Ambris to extend the opening stand to 87 before Smith was bowled by left-arm spinner Yannick Leonard who finished with two for 74, after he (Smith) struck nine fours off just 54 balls.
Ambris, who faced 83 balls in 112 minutes at the crease and hit eight fours, then added 53 with Keddy Lesporis who hit four fours and a six off 46 deliveries.
When the Windwards lost three wickets for eight runs to slip to 148 for four, Currency again came to his side’s rescue, striking 12 fours in an innings requiring 146 balls and spanning 182 minutes.