FRIENDSHIP, Barbados, CMC – A stunning century from Nicholas Pooran and contrasting half-centuries from Stephen Wharwood and Anthony Simmons enabled Trinidad and Tobago to open the one-day phase of their Regional Under-19 campaign with a comfortable 171-run victory over Leeward Islands here yesterday.
The left-handed Pooran smashed a scintillating 102 while opener Wharwood stroked a measured 84 and Simmons a cameo unbeaten 58 as T&T piled out 332 for six off their 50 overs at the Yorkshire Sports Club.
In response, Leeward Islands slumped from 90 for two to 161 all out off 43.2 overs, losing their last eight wickets for 71 runs. Simmons completed a superb all-round effort, claiming three for 15 with his off-breaks to help undermine the innings.
Sent in, T&T cruised to 96 for two but lost two quick wickets to stumble to 125 for four.
Prolific left-handed opener Jeremy Solozano departed cheaply, bowled by fast bowler Colin Archibald for five at 16 for one before Brian Christmas edged medium pacer Deno Baker behind for 13 with the score on 42.
Wharwood and captain Vikash Mohan (22) added 54 for the third wicket before Mohan was run out after failing to beat a throw from mid-off as he attempted a quick single.
When Ewart Nicholson tapped a return catch back to off-spinner Tristan Hanley, T&T were in need of impetus and got it from two partnerships inspired by Pooran. He and Wharwood put on 48 for the fifth wicket before Wharwood finally departed after facing 109 balls and stroking five fours and three sixes, caught at cover by Duan Webbe off off-spinner and captain Akeem Saunders (2-91)
