Cornwall, Walsh shine as Hurricanes blow away Volcanoes

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Spinners Rahkeem Cornwall and Hayden Jr Walsh spun a web around the Windward Islands Volcanoes’ batsmen to propel the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to the top of the Regional Super50 table with an impressive 84-run victory here yesterday.

Skipper Cornwall and Walsh Jr claimed all 10 wickets between them, and orchestrated a sensational collapse that saw the Volcanoes lose their last eight wickets for just 22 runs.

Batting first, the Hurricanes were carried by an unbeaten 96 from Jahmar Hamilton before being dismissed for 180 in 48.4 overs.

Cornwall then grabbed six wickets and Walsh four, to rout the Volcanoes for 96 from 21 overs.

The win took the Hurricanes to 38 points from five games, one ahead of former leaders Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, who are second on 37 from their four games, while the unbeaten Barbados Pride are in third with 31 from three games.

It was the Volcanoes’ third loss in four games and kept them one from the bottom in seventh place on 14 points, above only the Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners.

Chasing a less-than-challenging total, the Volcanoes were cruising at 74 for two in the 11th over, with the Hurricanes requiring a miracle to prevent their opponents from romping to victory.

Cornwall had already claimed the wickets of opener Shadrack Descarte for 10, and Kavem Hodge for 13, but Alick Athanaze and Sunil Ambris had steadied the ship for the Volcanoes.

However, in a stunning turn of events, Ambris was bowled by Walsh Jr for 11 and Cornwall enticed Athanaze to sweep straight into the hands of Dimitri Adams at deep square leg to be out for the top score of 36, and to leave the Volcanoes 76 for four.

Two balls later and without a run being added, Cornwall bowled Johnnel Eugene for a duck and, with the last ball of the over he had Dillon Douglas caught at cover, also for a duck, as the Volcanoes stumbled to 76 for six after 12 overs.

The end then came swiftly as Cornwall trapped Shamar Springer lbw for one, and Walsh Jr wrapped up the tail by dismissing Darel Cyrus for a duck, Kenneth Dember for three, and Darius Martin for one.

Cornwall ended with 6-26 from nine overs, while Walsh Jr took 4-20 from his six overs.

Earlier, the Hurricanes were saved by Hamilton’s unbeaten half-century, with none of the other batsmen putting up any real resistance.

The Hurricanes were 68 for six at one point, but Hamilton first added 47 with Walsh Jr, who made 12, and then partnered with Jeremiah Louis and Daniel Dooram, respectively, to add 62 valuable runs to the total.

In all, Hamilton faced 128 balls and struck five fours and two sixes.

Kavem Hodge took 4-26 to lead the Volcanoes while Darel Cyrus finished with 2-33.