Solid batting by Trinidad and Tobago has placed it in a good position against the Leeward Islands in the fifth round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) three-day under-19 Tournament yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.
After a series of rained-out matches both Trinidad and the Leewards finally got to take to the pitch as the Leewards won the toss and chose to bat.
However, rustiness was evident in the Leeward Islands batting line-up as they were immediately pushed on the back foot by their Trinidadian counterparts when they lost their first wicket for seven runs while losing their second wicket after adding just another six runs.
With the team on 13 for two, the Leewards batsmen showed some grit as Shaquille Martina led from the front with 34 runs and was supported by Akeem Saunders, 24, and Tristan Hanley, 17, as the team ended on 149 all out off of 55 overs.
Spin bowling did the trick for Trinidad as their off spinner Idress Mohammed and their left arm spinner Deron Davis combined for six of the Leewards batsmen’s scalps. Mohammed ended with figures of four for 47 runs off 19 overs while Davis picked up two for 37 runs off 17 overs.
In reply to the Leewards’ first innings total, the Trinidadian opening pair of Keiron Joseph and Dwane Cockburn looked solid before Joseph was clean bowled on 20 when the score was 35 for one.
The Leeward Islands then toiled hard for their second wicket and eventually got rid of Cockburn for 33 runs with the score on 95.
Emmanuel Lett then steered Trinidad to the close of play with a dazzling display as he smashed six fours to end the day on 54 not out while Akeal Hosein showcased his power hitting as he smashed two sixes and two fours to end on 27 not out at the close of play with the team score on 141 for two off 37 overs.
