ST. PHILIP, Barbados, AP:
LENNOX Cush and Narsingh Deonarine turned in brilliant all-around performances here yesterday to pilot defending champions Guyana to a commanding eight-wicket triumph over the Windward Islands in the second semi-final of the West Indies Cricket Board's President's Cup limited overs cricket championship at Wind-ward Club.
Guyana, chasing the modest Windward's total of 174 for nine off 50 overs, cruised to victory with five overs to spare at 175 for two.
The team now meets Trinidad and Tobago in tomorrow's final at the Kensington Oval.
STEERED TO VICTORY
Cush earned the Man-of-the-Match with an assured, unbeaten 63 which followed fine figures of three for 21 off 10 overs.
Left-hander Deonarine blasted an undefeated 83 after earlier helping to limit the Windward Islands with two for 36 off 10 overs.
The Windward's new ball bowlers Darren Sammy and Deighton Butler gave their team early hope by removing both Guyana's opening batsmen at 25 for two. But Cush and Deonarine gradually restored Guyana's edge and steered a victory course with a level-headed partnership of 150 in 37.5 overs.
Cush struck four fours off 115 balls and Deonarine, who faced 120 deliveries, cracked eight fours and two late sixes to help hurry the result.
ENCOURAGING START
Earlier, the Windwards, sent in by Guyana skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul, were limited by tidy slow bowling.
Openers Devon Smith and Junior Murray pasted the new ball pair of Reon King and Rayon Griffith as the islanders started encouragingly.
The pair added 51 for the first wicket but the early introduction of the spinners halted their advance.
Off-spinner Cush gained the first breakthrough as Murray was caught by wicket-keeper Derwin Christian for 28 as he under-edged a pull.
Four runs later, left-hander Smith also nicked to Christian, off Deonarine's off-spin. Smith hit four fours in 24.
Leg-spinner Mahendra Naga-mootoo (two for 37) sliced through the middle order with the cheap wickets of Liam Sebastien (6) and John Eugene (7).
