… Chanderpaul 22 away from another ton
MIDDLE-ORDER batsman Travis Dowlin celebrated his appointment as Guyana captain by stroking an attractive unbeaten century as the hosts dominated the Windward Islands on the opening day of their final-round Carib Beer Series match yesterday.

Dowlin lashed 121 not out at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, and the Guyanese were comfortably placed on 312 for three at stumps with Dowlin still there and West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul 22 away from his 44th first-class century.

The pair joined forces five minutes before tea and have so far put together 151 in an entertaining fourth-wicket stand.

Dowlin has reached the boundary 14 times and batted 280 minutes and 204 balls while Chanderpaul, who has 17 Test hundreds to his name, has reached the ropes six times and cleared it thrice in his innings which has lasted 116 balls and 142 minutes.

Off-spinner Shane Shillingford (2-97) is the most successful Windward Islands bowler so far.

In bright sunshine and on a slow track and fast outfield the hosts progressed to 70 for two by lunch after Guyana had elected to bat after winning the toss.

The 31-year-old Dowlin, who led Guyana against India in a three-day game in 2002, played with stylish authority and shared in century partnerships with former West Indies Under-19 captain Leon Johnson (46) and with former West Indies Test skipper Chanderpaul on a day which belonged entirely to the Guyanese.

Krishna Arjune, who hit two fours, was bowled by Mervin Matthew for 18 one hour into the day’s proceedings as the visitors made the breakthrough at 42 for one.

Sewnarine Chattergoon, who was dropped off pacer Nelon Pascal on 15, was then caught behind as the Dominican Shillingford struck 25 minutes before lunch at 55 for two.

The left-hander, who missed out on making his Test debut last week on home soil due to a viral infection, batted for 95 minutes, 72 balls and struck four boundaries in a carefully constructed 27.

After lunch, the Guyanese batted solidly before the 20-year-old Johnson fell when six short of his third fifty at this level.

He was caught behind in the penultimate over before tea to give Shillingford his second scalp.

The left-handed Johnson had added 106 for the third wicket with his skipper and his 46 was decorated with five fours and lasted 124 balls and 173 minutes.

By tea, the Guyanese were 166 for three with Dowlin unbeaten on 61 after registering his 14th first-class fifty from 86 balls, 96 minutes with six fours.

The Windwards failed to capitalise on Ramnaresh Sarwan’s absence and were made to toil hard all day in sweltering heat as Dowlin and the 33-year-old Chanderpaul totally dominated the last session with commanding stroke play.

Dowlin reached his fourth first-class hundred from 181 balls, 231 minutes with 12 fours while Chanderpaul got to his 77th first-class half-century and then celebrated with a pair of disdainful sixes off Test medium pacer, Daren Sammy, off consecutive balls, to bring the small gathering of spectators to life. (CMC)