NEW DELHI: In an apparent case of unsportsmanlike behaviour, Leeward Islands have come under heavy criticism for deliberately knocking down the chances of their opponent team’s 20-year-old batsman to score a maiden List A hundred.

During a Group B match of Regional Super50 tournament at North Sound in West Indies on Tuesday, Kent had all but sealed the result in their favour with Zak Crawley unbeaten on 98 with Sean Dickson on 40*. In the 45th over, they were 180/1 and needed just four to win.

Sheeno Berridge had bowled seven wicketless overs for 25 runs. He began the over with Crawley on strike. He bowled the first two deliveries well outside the off stump and the umpire rightly adjudged them as wides. It took a little effort from Crawley to push the next through covers as Berridge again kept it wide with two runs remaining. A single brought Dickson on the strike and in his effort to allow his team-mate complete the century, he began blocking the remaining deliveries and see out the over.

After successfully blocking the second legal delivery of the over, Dickson pushed the one bowl well outside the leg stump towards midwicket. Crawley, not caring about his hundred, called for a single which Dickson refused.

However, the Islands fielder reportedly allowed the ball to cross the boundary without attempting to stop it. The boundary sealed Kents’ nine-wicket win but left Crawley stranded on 99. For his career-best score, Crawely, who turned 20 on February 3, was chosen as the man-of-the-match.

But the controversial end drew criticism on social media.