(WICB) Bridgetown, Barbados — Guyana recorded an easy five-wicket win over Leeward Islands to end the West Indies Cricket Board’s Under-19 50-over tournament on a high today.
The Guyanese bowled out the bottom-placed Leewards for just 94 runs and then sped to 97-5 off 22.2 overs as the match ended shortly after the lunch break. Fast bowler Romario Shepherd was again impressive with the new ball as he took a career-best 4-17.
The win took Guyana 34.0 points – as they stayed top of the table. They have a bye for the final round on Wednesday and will have to wait on the other results to see if they can take home the winner’s trophy.
Jamaica also had an easy win over the ICC Americas to leapfrog Barbados into second position. Seamer Kijana Johnson took four wickets in six overs to unsettle the visitors, who found scoring difficult at Foursquare Oval.
The Jamaicans then erased the target with ease. Tristan Coleman topscored with 35 not out, while Brandon King ended the match with a big six. The Jamaicans have 25.5 points and will have to beat the Bajans in the final round as well as secure Bonus Points to catch Guyana.
At Kensington Oval, Windward Islands completely outplayed last year’s champions Barbados to win by 75 runs to move to third spot on 24.5 points.
Barbados leg-spinner Aaron Jones had the tournament’s best figures of 6-15 off five overs, but Windwards were still able to get up to the day’s highest score of 227. Opener Keone George gave then a good start with 74 off 120 balls while Larry Edward made a crucial 40 off 35 balls at the bottom of the innings.
Barbados were rocked at the start by the pace of Ray Jordan (2-43) and the swing of Preston McSween (3-17). Edward also had 2-12 from eight overs with his left-arm spin. Captain Shai Hope made 73 off 101 balls with seven fours and three sixes but when he lost his middle stump to a superb yorker from Jordan, that signalled the end of the home side’s run chase.
The Windwards will have to beat the Leewards in the final round as well as secure Bonus Points if they hope to win the trophy.
Score summaries:
At LIME SC, Wildey: Guyana beat Leeward Islands by five wickets
Leeward Islands 94 all out off 28.5 overs (Darren Hobson 46; Romario Shepherd 4-17, Shawn Pereira 3-28, Mark Tyrell 2-30) Guyana 97-5 off 22.2 overs (Tagenarine Chanderpaul 29 not out, Shimron Hetmeyer 28; Colin Archibald 3-32, Shevon Moore 2-45)
At Foursquare Oval: Jamaica beat ICC Americas by seven wickets
ICC Americas 135-9 off 50 overs (Akash Shah 30, Salman Ahmad 28; Kijana Johnson 4-31) Jamaica 136-3 off 35.3 overs (Tristan Coleman 35 not out, Aldaine Thomas 35, Kerry Holness 31)
At Kensington Oval: Windward Islands beat Barbados by 75 runs
Windward Islands 227 off 49.4 overs (Keone George 74, Larry Edward 40, Taryck Gabriel 30, Nino Henry 24; Aaron Jones 6-14) Barbados 152 all out off 38.3 overs (Shai Hope 74; Preston McSween 3-17, Larry Edward 2-12, Taryck Gabriel 2-28, Ray Jordan 2-43).
