ST KITTS – A rainy day throughout the island of St Kitts left the Under 15 cricketers frustrated as they were on and off the field as Round II of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Under 15 Tournament got underway yesterday.
At Conaree, the clash between Jamaica and the Leeward Islands was delayed after heavy early morning showers left the outfield drenched. This however, was the only match that didn’t start on time.
Though overcast throughout St Kitts, Trinidad and Tobago’s match with the Windward Islands at Warner Park, and Guyana’s clash with Barbados at Molineaux, both got going at 9:30AM Atlantic Standard Time.
Fans at Conaree only had to wait 30 minutes though before play got underway in the second round fixture. Jamaica won the toss and asked the Leeward Islands to bat first. With heavy cloud cover above, it was no surprise; two out of the three tosses won this morning resulted in teams bowling first.
Tyrone Williams picked up where he left off against Trinidad Tobago two days ago, as the batsman hit 74 runs to put the Leewards on course for a strong first innings total. Opener Ras Powell also continued his good form, playing well for 39.
But it was a 90-run, fourth- wicket stand between Williams and Phillo Wallace that catapulted the Leeward Islands’ first innings. Wallace finished unbeaten on 38 as the Leewards went to Lunch on 165/5 from 42 overs. Evan Jones, Simon Lee and Javelle Glen all finished with one wicket each.
As the rain threatened throughout the morning, during the Leewards’ innings, it came down during the lunch break. It didn’t stop until well into the afternoon and the players resorted to their dressing rooms. Just after 2PM, the clouds still covered the ground but the rain had left. It gave Jamaica a chance to start their first innings and respond to the Leeward’s total.
They got off to the worst possible start though as Orande Pearson was out for just five in his first match. Mrinal Wadhwa (11-2-25-3), Zubie Deyal (5.5-2-5-2) and Karima Gore (6-3-6-2) combined to root the defending champions out for just 77 runs, and gain the Leewards a lead of 88. Openers, Ras Powell (21*) and Tyrone Williams (13*) closed Day one on 39/0 to leave the Leewards firmly in control with an overall lead of 127 runs.
At Molineaux, the weather was good enough to start on time as Barbados looked to extend their lead at the top. Guyana won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a slow start, thanks to some disciplined Bajan bowling.
Openers Runakio Renee and Bhaskar Yadram batted solidly in a an opening stand of 35 and Guyana appeared to be cruising along steadily in their first innings when Bajan bowlers Deswin Currency and Kevon Bartlett staged a fight back late in the first innings.
Currency finished with figures of 6-2-10-3 as Guyana’s promising start dissipated to 124/9 in 40 overs.
Barbados’ chase for first innings points got off to a slow and shaky start. While Guyana was 35/0 in 9 overs, the Bajans were 35/2 after 16 overs. Nicholas Kirton and Shamar Springer though led a middle order recovery for the table-toppers.
Springer finished unbeaten on 45, Kirton played well for 24, while Dominic Drakes chipped in with 18 as Barbados finished their first innings and went to Tea on 137/5, holding an overall lead of 13 runs. Akenie Adams finished with figures of 2/41.
Guyana started their second innings solidly as they look to set a large target for the leaders. Sherfane Rutherford (35*) and Runakio Renee (34*) have so far added 23 for the third wicket as Guyana lead by Barbados by 68 runs heading into the second and final day.
At Warner Park, in the final match between Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands, both of whom are chasing leaders Barbados, T&T were asked to bat first after their opponents won the toss.
T&T openers, Keagan Simmons and Negus Smith had to weather an early storm of good bowling from Brian Joseph and Ryan John. After Joseph got Smith for 5, Dejourn Charles and Simmons repaired T&T’s first innings.
However, the Windwards kept taking “Trini” wickets at regular intervals. Simmons played well for 39 but he failed to carry on after being bowled playing an ugly heave off Jenson Mitchel.
Brandon Maharaj stuck around for T&T as he guided his team with a well played 28. T&T got up to 156/6 before the rain interrupted the match at Warner Park. Joseph finished the innings with three wickets while Christian Challery had two.
It would be sometime before play would resume at Warner Park as the rain barely gave the ground staff time to work. After over two hours of waiting, at 2:30PM Atlantic Standard Time, the umpires inspected and instructed the teams that they would start.
The time off the field appeared to have given T&T an almighty spark as they came out all guns blazing. The Windwards were quickly reduced to 27/5, with Sachin Balai taking 3/18, and Jervon Garcia taking 2/6 as the “Trinis” wrecked the Windwards top order. Brian Joseph and Ryan John, who troubled T&T with the ball, had to be the heroes with the bar for the Windwards as well.
Both batsmen put on a crucial 50 partnership to rescue their team from a batting collapse. Bryan Boodram eventually broke the partnership for T&T when he trapped John leg before for 27. The Windwards were still in much trouble at that stage on 89/6.
Joseph continued battling from the other end as wickets fell around him. His valiant 48 helped the Windwards to 123 all out as Sachin Balai finished with figures of 7-1-34-4. T&T will take a lead of 33 runs into their second innings when the second round of matches resume at 9:30AM Atlantic Standard Time today.
Points Standings after Round one:
Barbados = 17 (Outright win 12 + bowling bonus 5)
Windward Islands = 16 (Outright win 12 + bowling bonus 4)
Trinidad & Tobago = 7 (1st Innings lead 6 + bowling bonus 1)
Guyana = 6.5 (1st Innings lead in loss 4 + bowling bonus 2.5)
Leeward Islands = 6 (1st Innings loss 3 + bowling bonu s 3)
Jamaica = 0.5 (Loser Outright 0 + bowling bonus 0.5)
