Barbados snaps T&T U-17 winning streak

T&T cricketers had their winning streak snapped by Barbados in the final round of the T&T Cricket Board Regional Under-17 Development Series, yesterday, at Gilbert Park in California. T&T gave an inept batting display and were prized out for a disappointing 81 in 29 overs, chasing 121 for victory.

However, the result was only of academic interest, as T&T were already assured of the title after the penultimate round of competition on Monday, when they defeated the Leeward Islands by nine wickets at Wilson Road Recreation Ground in Penal.

T&T ended the series with eight points, followed by Barbados on seven. In the feature attraction of the final round, T&T won the toss and inserted the opposition. The young Bajans failed to come to terms against the potent spin attack of the T&T youngsters and folded for a miserable 120 in 46.2 overs.

Leading the bowling charge for T&T was skipper and left-arm spinner Yannick Ottley who bagged four for 20. He was well supported by right-arm leg-spinner Yannic Cariah who picked up two for 20.

All-rounder Roston Chase continued his rich form with the bat for Barbados, scoring a solid 63 off 99 balls, which included eight fours and a six. Impressive Kraigg Brathwaite was the next top-scorer with a patient 22.

In reply, T&T batsmen were undermined by intelligent bowling from Jomal Warrican (3-14), skipper Jason Holder (3-26) and Chase (3-36) and went under by 39 runs. For another fine all-round display, Chase was named “Player of the Match.” At the Queen’s Park Oval, Guyana crushed the Leeward Islands by seven wickets to record their second win of the championship.

The Leewards after being asked to take first strike were bundled out for a meagre 82 in 37.3 overs. Top bowlers for Guyana were spinners Joemal La Fleur (3-18), Ricardo Devers (2-2) and Amir Khan (2-24). Medium-fast bowler Seon Daniels chipped in with two for 13.

It took the Guyanese only 14.1 overs to reach their victory target, closing on 83 for three, with Quincy Richardson (26) and Horell Green being the principal scorers. La Fleur copped the “Player of the Match” award.

Guyana ended the series with five points, while the Leewards were at the bottom of the six-team standings—pointless. In Chaguanas, at the Invaders Cricket Ground in Felicity, Jamaica whipped the Windward Islands by six wickets in a match reduced to 20 overs because of rain.

The Windwards’ team had first strike and were restricted to 95 for nine in the allotted overs. Sunil Amris topscored wit 30, while Rudolph Paul made 25. Jamaica’s John Campbell was again impressive with the ball, taking four for 22, while Coi Thompson showed promise with two for six.

In reply, Jamaica led by a top-score of 25 from Campbell reached their target in 18.1 overs. Jamaica were joint runner-up with Barbados on seven points, while the Windwards were one from last in the table on three .

A gala prize awards function was held for the six participating teams last night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.
Final standings—T&T 8 pts, Barbados 7, Jamaica 7, Guyana 5, Windwards 3, Leewards 0.

Naz Yacoob
Trinidad Guardian