Captain Shane Dowrich’s century guides Marooners to thrilling last-ball victory

In a dramatic finish at the West Indies Super50 Cup in Trinidad, Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners, led by their captain, Shane Dowrich, clinched a thrilling two-wicket win against Windward Islands Volcanoes off the last ball on Sunday.

Dowrich, the discarded West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman, played a captain's innings, crafting an impressive maiden List A century. His unbeaten 102 runs came off 101 balls, featuring three fours and three sixes. This remarkable performance allowed the Marooners to successfully chase down the target of 268 at Frank Worrell Field, securing their first win of this year's tournament.

Arriving at the crease with his team at 66 for two in the 16th over, Dowrich showcased his resilience and anchored the innings. He formed crucial partnerships throughout the match, including a 74-run partnership with opener Kadeem Alleyne, who contributed 68 runs off 75 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes.

Dowrich also combined with Jordan Johnson, adding 63 runs for the fifth wicket. However, it was his pivotal eighth-wicket partnership of 57 runs with Romario Greaves that swung the match decisively in Marooners' favor. Greaves scored 14 runs before being run out off the penultimate ball, with the team needing only four runs to win.

Blades hits final delivery to fine leg boundary for four

The victory was sealed when Jediah Blades hit a delivery from Barbadian all-rounder Shamar Springer to the fine leg boundary for four, condemning the Volcanoes to their third consecutive loss.

Pacer Darel Cyrus was the standout performer among the Volcanoes' bowlers, taking four wickets for 54 runs from his 10 overs. His efforts triggered a middle-order collapse for the Marooners. Left-arm spinner Larry Edward also contributed with two wickets for 65 runs from his 10 overs.

The Marooners started strongly with openers Kadeem Alleyne and Johann Jeremiah reaching 51 without loss at the end of the first Power Play. However, Dowrich's arrival at the crease turned the tide in their favor.

Dowrich defied Cyrus's destructive spell and steadied the ship as wickets fell around him. Despite a middle-order collapse in the 29th over, which saw the loss of Alleyne, Akshaya Persaud, and Shatrughan Rambaran, Dowrich's composure kept Marooners in contention.

Greaves plays vital role in closing stages

After Johnson's dismissal in the 39th over and Abhijai Mansingh's departure in the 43rd over, the Marooners still needed 58 runs from 45 balls. Romario Greaves played a vital role in the closing stages before being dismissed, setting the stage for Dowrich to take responsibility and secure the victory, which he achieved in dramatic fashion.

Earlier in the match, Windward Islands Volcanoes posted a total of 267 for eight after being put in to bat. Alick Athanaze, Jeremy Solozano, and Sunil Ambris scored half-centuries, laying the foundation for the Volcanoes' innings. Athanaze top-scored with 65 runs, Solozano contributed 55, and Ambris added a run-a-ball 52.

Athanaze and Solozano combined for an 87-run partnership for the second wicket, while Ambris supported captain Andre Fletcher in a fifth-wicket partnership worth 63 runs. Despite a strong start, the Volcanoes struggled in the last 10 overs, adding only 52 runs and losing four wickets, which hampered their effort to set a more formidable target.

For the Marooners, Abhijai Mansingh, Isai Thorne, and Jediah Blades all captured two wickets each, contributing to the team's remarkable victory.