Devon Smith Sounds Warning With Bat

Tue, Jan 7, '03

Talented West Indies 'A' team batsman Devon Smith showed that he is back to full fitness with a scorching undefeated century in a practice game for the Grenada national team.

Smith smacked an undefeated 109 in only two hours (20 fours and a six) in a warm up game for the Grenada team against a Grenada ex-national squad over the weekend.

The Grenada team is warming up for the Windward Islands Cricket tournament starting in St. Vincent on Friday. Smith who was named vice-captain? of the team will however miss the tournament since he has been selected as one of five reserves of the West Indies World Cup squad.

He leaves this weekend to join the pre World Cup camp in Antigua.

The Grenada team is being skippered by Rawl Lewis, one of only two Grenadian test cricketers.

Wicket keeper Junior Murray is also in the team and is now expected to be the new vice-captain.

Led by Smith, who retired to give other batsmen practice, Grenada notched up 320 for one off their alloted 35 overs in their final warm up game before traveling to Kingstown.

They inflicted a heavy defeat on the ex-national team which will be playing an Antigua ex-national team in St. George's this weekend. The Antigua team is expected to include former West Indies captains Vivian Richards and Richie Richardson.

The innings provided crucial match practice for Smith who was injured at the tail-end of the West Indies 'A' team's tour to the United Kingdom and Canada six months ago. Smith returned to competitive cricket only recently after having to forego an invitation to play in the Barbados club championship.

However he appeared at an exhibition game in Barbados in November but a short innings there did not give him the valuable time out in the middle.