KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Fast bowler Keon Joseph snared a five-wicket and surprisingly placed struggling Guyana in charge against tournament leaders Trinidad and Tobago on the second day of their final round TCL Group West Indies Three-Day Cup Under-19 match yesterday.
Joseph recorded a fine haul of five for 57 off 15 overs at Elletson Road to reduce unbeaten T&T to 171 all out in response to Guyana’s first innings score of 228 all out.
Guyana further tormented T&T with a punishing second-innings century opening stand between Trevon Griffith and captain Anthony Bramble before T&T staged a fightback to leave Guyana on 151 for four at stumps for an overall lead of 208.
Having lost first innings points, T&T who entered the fifth and final round with a six-point lead, are in danger of being beaten for the title if the hosts Jamaicans can complete a win over Barbados on today’s final day.
From an overnight 68 for two, T&T collapsed against the pace of Joseph and the spinners Jonathan Foo (2-22) and Alex Amsterdam (2-39), handing a 57-run first innings advantage to the Guyanese.
The T&T innings folded after lunch and Guyana consolidated their position when Griffith (56) and Bramble (62) blasted a 104-run partnership for the first wicket.
Javid Boodram struck two good blows before the close to dislodge Amsterdam (18) and Foo for a “duck”, giving T&T an outside chance at pulling off a much needed win.
Opener Amir Khan, who was 25 not out overnight, top-scored with 43, while wicket-keeper Aaron Alfred 35 and No.8 batsman Teshawn Castro (23) also tried for T&T, the only team in the tournament with an unbeaten record.
Boodram finished the day with two for four off 2.4 overs to partially stall the advance of the Guyanese, who have lost three of their four games.