Kirk Edwards Strokes 104 As Windies A Take Limited-Over Series In Style

BENGALURU, India – Kirk Edwards believes his century could not have come at a better time after he piloted West Indies A to a deserved 45-run victory over India A in the decisive third and final 50-over match on Thursday.

Kirk Edwards struck 104 in Windies A series win over India A. Photo courtesy of Johnny Baptiste and Windies Cricket.

The experienced right-hander made a high class, run-a-ball 104 – comprising 12 fours and three sixes – as the Windies made 312-9 off 50 overs at the M Chinnasammy Stadium.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (3-55) and pacer Miguel Cummins (2-46) then went to work, restricting the strong Indian batting to 267-8 off 50 overs.

The victory marked a remarkable performance for the Windies as they clinched the series 2-1 after going 0-1 down.
India A won the opening match by 77 runs on Sunday while West Indies rebounded to win the second contest by 55 runs on Tuesday.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday in the Twenty20 format.

“This was a big occasion and the right time to get a big score. I was batting well coming into the match so it was time to convert one of my good starts into a major performance for the team,” Edwards said.

“It felt great because I’ve been batting well for quite some time now, so to come up against India who are a very good one-day team and to score a ton to win the series is very satisfying in their backyard.”

Edwards, the most experienced member of the Windies squad, was determined to play a major innings especially with the series hanging in the balance. He reached his half century off 67 balls and the century came from just 98 balls.

He shared a fourth wicket partnership of 93 off just 80 balls with Leon Johnson – who made 54 off just 42 balls – before posting a hasty 40 off 21 balls for the sixth wicket with Devon Thomas (21).

The West Indies batting effort was set-up by an opening stand of 74 between skipper Kieran Powell (40) and Andre Fletcher (28).

“My plan was to bat right down to the 45th over and anchor the innings, let the guys bat around me. I just knew I had to keep going and keep building a big total for the team. The pitch was a bit two-paced and their bowlers knowing the conditions very well provided me with a great challenge that I was able to overcome,” the 28-year-old Edwards said.

“As a team we are very, very happy especially after the first game being hammered. To come here and win is quite an achievement and everyone has the right to be proud. This is a superb series victory and means a lot to us as a team. It’s a great confidence booster for the team going forward in the T20 and the four-day matches.”