Dewar puts UWI on top

LEG-SPINNER Akeem Dewar put in a fine bowling performance, grabbing five for 40 and off-spinner Ryan Austin supported well with three for 29 as runaway leaders UWI skittled out home team St Catherine yesterday for a paltry 139.
Omar Phillips, on 30 before being caught at mid-off, and Kyle Corbin unbeaten on 12, led UWI in a strong reply at 49 for one until fading light stopped play.
Fast bowler Kevin McClean jolted St Catherine in the very first over when Dayne Maynard was caught by Jonathan Carter in second slip without a run being scored.
Neil Browne, in a very patient innings, was then partnered by Shamar Cooke in a second-wicket recovery of 67 runs.
Browne, after weathering the storm for some time, was the first of Dewar’s victims when he tried for a big hit that only landed safely in Austin’s hands at long off. His was the second topscore to Cooke’s 21.
St Catherine batted well and ended the first session at 82 for three when Cooke was caught at midwicket by Marques Clarke off Austin’s only delivery before the tea interval.
He played well on reaching his half-century with five fours and one six, but when he reached 58, he gifted his hand and allowed UWI back into the game.
UWI’s spinners then took command after tea when the slide was triggered. Ahmed Proverbs went for a big drive, but mistimed the ball, was hit on the pads and the ball trickled onto the stumps.
At 105 for five, captain Derick Bishop, hitting against the leg spin, offered Clarke another easy catch at extra cover. He made only six. Dewar soon sent more worries into the home team’s camp when Kenroy Williams’ tentative reach forward was snapped up by Corbin.
The impatience in batting and lack of application then saw St Catherine folding for another low total this season.
Wicket-keeper Renaldo Rudder spooned a dolly to Carter at short mid-wicket and their last hope in formulating a competitive total in Ulric Batson, was lost when he went for a big hit that only reached Clarke, and gave UWI another full four bowling points.