The penultimate round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 gets underway today with three matches.
In one of those matches, home side Guyana comes up against defending three- day champions Windward Islands, in a must win encounter for the locals, at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda from 10:00hrs.
Both teams had contrasting results in their respective third round matches that concluded on Thursday.
The Guyanese suffered a catastrophic final day batting capitulation, en route to suffering a 73-run defeat to a Derone Davis-inspired Trinidad.
In contrast, the defending champions, who lost their first and second round matches, had a morale-boasting, rain-affected draw against this year’s tournament whipping boys – the Leeward Islands.
They claimed first innings points in a game they most likely would have won if it weren’t for rain, thanks to an unbeaten 155 not out by skipper and West Indies Under-19 player Kavem Hodge.
That 155 is also the highest individual score in this year’s competition to date.
The young Guyanese will clearly be hoping that, today their spin attack of Amir Khan, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai and Anthony Adams can continue their success, which so far has seen the trio accounting for 34 of the 45 wickets Guyana has claimed in this tournament to date.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the batting which is seemingly becoming overly dependent on Chanderpaul Hemraj, needs to collectively contribute, since there is a lot of ability within the ranks.
Once the local boys can combine those respective facets in the batting and bowling departments and play to potential, they have every chance of pushing for an outright victory over the Windwards.
Guyana have so far been unchanged in the competition but coach Hubert Evans has hinted that trend could be halted, so it will be interesting to see what XI walks out on the field for the home side today.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday afternoon at the Regency Hotel, Windwards coach Irvin Warrican gave a synopsis of his team’s performance thus far in the competition and what they need to do in order claim victory over Guyana.
“Coming into this competition as defending three-day champions, admittedly I am disappointed on how the team has played thus far. The batsmen especially expect for my two West Indies under-19 players in captain Hodge and Sunil Ambris, hasn’t clicked. While the bowling led by pacer Ray Jordan who took a 6 wicket haul versus Trinidad and spinner Larry Edward, who has been amongst the top spinners in the competition, have tended to hold their own.
“But on the bright side, based on what I’ve seen from the other teams, if we play to our ability in my view we can match any team. So hopefully starting from the Guyana game and the final round match, we can do that and move up in the points table.
“Our preparation for this game in the last two days has been hampered by the weather, which, according to locals I’ve spoken to, gives me the impression that it may delay start and potentially the entire game, which will be most disappointing. One of our players Awen Edwards sadly had to fly home recently due to the death of his father. Our deepest condolences goes out to him.
But the mood in the camp remains high regardless of these setbacks and we just focused on playing some good cricket at Bourda.”
In the other two matches which also bowl off today, tournament leaders Jamaica will be fancying their third outright win when the tackle competition strugglers the Leeward Islands at the Everest Cricket Club while Trinidad will be hoping their spin trio of Davis/Idress Mohammed/Jovan Ali which spun webs around Guyana can do the same to Kraigg Brathwaite’s Bajans, when they face off at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.
The weather is expected unfortunately to have a big say in all three (3) of this city fixtures, with the poor drainage at all these venues being already woefully exposed in previous rounds.
Point’s standings
1. Jamaica 28.0
2. Trinidad & Tobago 24.3
3. Barbados 20.3
4. Guyana 15.8
5. Windwards 7.3
6. Leewards 6.7
Guyana: Ronsford Beaton (captain), Kwame Crosse, Kevon Boodie, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Dominique Rikki, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Jamal La Fleur, Linden Austin, Amir Khan, Anthony Adams, Ricardo Adams, Clinton Pestano, Loydell Lewis. Hubert Evans (Coach), Manager Raymond Barton (Manager).
Windward Islands: Kavem Hodge (captain), Sunil Ambris, Emmaneul Peter, Ray Jordan, Shaquielle Brown, Terron Simon, Dwight Thomas, Bronte Bess, Jamaal James, Awen Edwards, Larry Edwards, Preston McSween, Keon George, Holis Blair. Irvin Warrican Coach (Coach)
