A major weather system impacted a national cricket team.
It was a brilliant start to the development tour before Hurricane Irene forced the squad to make a premature exit after two out of the four matches. Cayman Islands Under-15 team arrived in the Bahamas with high expectations. The youngsters were ready having gone through extensive preparations with coaches Andy Myles and Benjamin Maynard.
In the first game Cayman captain Gregory Davis called correctly and decided to field first. There were a number of wides and no balls as the youngsters began very nervously. The introduction of Hakim Murray and David Lee changed the course of the match. Murray’s left hand spin was mean, hitting a perfect length cutting the flow of runs while Lee attacked bowling his right hand leg spin. It was one of Lee’s tempting leg spin on a leg stump line which drew the Bahamian batsman out of his crease for Reuben Barnes to effect a swift stumping. Ajahn Christian matched Murray in accuracy and provided the others the opportunity to attack. Nathan Ebanks completed the innings by picking up his first wicket. Bahamas never recovered and were limited to 122 runs.
Wayne Cato and opening partner David Lee began the Cayman innings and provided a good foundation. It was however captain Gregory Davis who first settled in, making 35n.o with Lee adding 24. Cayman lost only five wickets in achieving victory.
In match two Cayman were dominate. Davis and company batted first and got an early boundary from the opening partnership of Cato and Lee. However Lee was dismissed with the score on 7 only to bring Davis to the wicket. Cato fell shortly after and Davis was joined by Paul Laidlaw. Davis eventually scored 53n.o and Laidlaw 28. Cayman would produce a final total of 166 for six wickets.
There was the feeling that something special was about to happen the moment Bahamas opening batsman Kevin Valsaint was bowled by Ajani Anderson in the first over. Anderson and opening bowling partner Daviel Foster were on song with pace, line and length picking up early wickets. In came Hakim Murray and Thompson Hew, Cayman’s new left arm spin twins. Wickets fell regularly especially with some outstanding fielding and catching by Casey McLaughlin, Paul Laidlaw and Edward Bodden. Bahamas was bowled out for 43 runs giving Cayman a remarkable victory by 123 runs.
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