Dominica and Saint Lucia U15 Match Ends in No Result Due to Inclement Weather

The third round match of the 2024 WINLOTT/Windward Islands Male Under-15 Super-50 Cricket Championships, held at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia, ended in a no-result due to fading light. The clash between Saint Lucia and Dominica, the tournament’s top two teams, was initially delayed due to a wet outfield, reducing the match to 30 overs per side.

Dominica won the toss and elected to field, capitalizing on the damp conditions to restrict Saint Lucia to a modest total. Saint Lucia struggled from the outset, losing wickets at regular intervals. Their innings crumbled to 127 for 9 in their allotted 30 overs. Jeannille Williams was the top scorer for Saint Lucia with 39 runs, while Kaleb Charles contributed 13 and Kerlan Daniel added 10. The rest of the batting lineup failed to reach double figures, highlighting Saint Lucia’s batting woes. Dominica’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Ellon Pascal (3 for 11) and Dylon John (3 for 14), who exploited the conditions effectively. Kelan Christmas and Jalan Bruno also chipped in with a wicket each. However, Dominica’s bowling was marred by a significant number of extras, gifting Saint Lucia 38 runs, including 29 wides and six no-balls.

Dominica’s chase began steadily, with openers Alex Armstrong and Derwin Lewis cautiously navigating the Saint Lucian bowling. However, Lewis was dismissed by Kaleb Charles for 10, leaving Dominica at 30 for 1. Armstrong continued to anchor the innings, remaining unbeaten on 33, with Nian Davis on 3 not out at the other end. As the light deteriorated rapidly, the umpires were forced to call off play with Dominica on 68 for 1 after 14 overs. They still needed 59 runs to win with 16 overs remaining.

The premature end to the match resulted in a no-result, denying either team a victory. While Dominica seemed to be in a relatively comfortable position at the time of the interruption, they still had a significant number of runs to chase. The fading light ultimately prevented a definitive outcome, leaving both teams sharing the points.

The match highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams. Saint Lucia’s batting lineup struggled to build partnerships and post a competitive total. Their bowlers, while picking up wickets, also conceded a significant number of extras, adding to their woes. Dominica, on the other hand, displayed a more disciplined bowling performance and a more composed batting approach, albeit against a smaller target. The unfortunate abandonment of the game prevented a clear winner from emerging.

The no-result underscores the importance of adapting to challenging playing conditions. Both teams had to contend with a shortened game due to the wet outfield and the eventual loss of light. While Dominica’s bowlers adapted well to the damp conditions, their batting was put to the test only briefly before the light intervened. Saint Lucia’s batting faltered against a disciplined Dominica attack, while their bowlers struggled with consistency, giving away too many extras. The match served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of cricket and the influence of external factors on the outcome of a game. The shared points meant that both teams maintained their positions at the top of the table, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the tournament.