Minor disaster for W Indies

Cricket

Steve Dean, a Staffordshire schoolmaster, carried off the man of the match award as the Minor Counties celebrated a famous one-day victory over the West Indies at Reading yesterday.

The 34-year-old followed his unbeaten 146 against the Young Australian tourists 10 days ago with an innings of 91, including 10 fours, from 134 balls.

The West Indies had batted in a somewhat carefree manner to reach 266 for 9, the opener Stuart Williams top-scoring with 61. The former Derbyshire bowler Paul Newman did the early damage, claiming Sherwin Campbell, who trod on his own wicket, and the captain, Richie Richardson, two balls later in the 11th over.

Newman was replaced in the attack by Marcus Sharp, who took an illustrious trio of wickets: Jimmy Adams (13), Brian Lara (44) and Carl Hooper (54) all fell to catches off his bowling.

The total looked vulnerable and the Minor Counties were always up with the required run-rate, thanks to their openers, Laurie Potter, who made 21, and Dean.

They took command when Dean and Mark Fell came together for a third-wicket partnership that produced 107 off 21 overs, Fell going on to make exactly 50.

Some quick wickets fell as the target was approached which served to heighten the tension, but calm batting and an inordinate number of extras conceded by the tourists - 78 - took the Minors to their victory with more than three overs to spare.