For just the second time in the better part of a decade, two-day domestic cricket is being played in Saint Lucia.
Gros Islet showed their appetite for the format this weekend with a massive, momentous win over Desruisseaux, by an innings and 492 runs.
The opposition was involved in local cricket for the first time since the early 2000’s. Batting first on Saturday at the Gros Islet Playing Field, they lasted only 24 overs, and amassed just 89 runs in their first innings.
Eardley Dupre scored a fighting unbeaten 43, with Stephan Dupre the next most significant scorer on 19. Fast bowler Darvin Forde led Gros Islet with 4-20 in five overs, including a hat-trick. Simeon Gerson took 3-17, and Jeandell Cyril 1-5.
Gros Islet closed the opening day already ahead by over 300 runs. Their Day 1 tally of 398 for 4 included a knock of 81 off 56 balls by captain Kimani Melius (10×4, 4×6) at the top of the order, and 50 off 44 by Tyrel Chicot (6×4, 1×6).
Chicot’s dismissal brought the Goodman brothers together. Jard would go on to hit 171 from 137 deliveries, inclusive of 14 fours and 13 sixes. Ryan made a relatively sedate 104, off 93 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes.
A third century, a much quicker one from Royce Paul, took Gros Islet to 600-7 declared. Paul needed just 81 balls, striking 12 fours and two sixes.
Dupre continued his solid all-round game with 3-149 in 23 overs, his brother Stephan Dupre 2-88, and a wicket each to Sulie Charlemagne and Richard Cherry.
With a first innings deficit of 511, Desruisseaux was skidded out for 19 in just 4.4 overs. Lee John took 3-0 in 1.4 overs, Cyril added 2-4 in one over, and Gerson 1-6 in one over. It was a memorable victory, built on an historic batting exhibition.
Speaking with a number of leading cricket analysts, commentators, and administrators, none could recall such a large total having been scored in Saint Lucia.
While all lamented the lack of accurate record-keeping over the years in local cricket, their collective institutional memory dates back to at least the late seventies.
PHOTO: (L-R) Jard Goodman, Ryan Goodman, Royce Paul.
