Windies crush UAE

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):Devon Thomas stroked a sparkling half-century but narrowly missed out on a century while captain Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels and Chris Barnwell also flourished with the bat, as West Indies crushed United Arab Emirates by 245 runs in their Carib-Asian one-day match here yesterday.

Thomas, who toured with the Windies to the World Cup earlier this year, pummelled 88 off 77 balls to help power his side to 315 all out off 49.5 overs at the ICC Global Cricket Academy.

Barnwell gathered a whirlwind 54 from a mere 21 balls, Samuels got 53 from 69 balls, while Sammy raced to 51 off 49 deliveries, as West Indies raised an imposing total after opting to bat first.

Speedster Kemar Roach (3-13), off-spinner Samuels (3-13) and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo (3-22) then both snared three wickets apiece to send the hosts tumbling for a paltry 70 off 38.1 overs.

lost early wickets

West Indies lost early wickets when Kieran Powell (2) and Danza Hyatt (7) fell in quick succession to leave the tourists on 10 for two.

However, Thomas and Samuels combined to add 138 for the third wicket, and repaired the damage.

Thomas stroked five fours and three sixes in an uptempo innings while Samuels was more sedate in acquiring his runs, counting five fours and a six.

Three wickets tumbled for 14 runs as the Windies stumbled to 162 for five, but Sammy and all-rounder Andre Russell (32) patched up the innings with a stand of 76 for the sixth wicket.