(WICB) Bridgetown, Barbados — Windward Islands are the champions of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Under-19 50-over tournament. A purposeful bowling effort backed by a solid batting performance saw them achieve a remarkable victory over Leeward Islands by six wickets to win their seventh round match today.
The Windwards entered the contest needing a win as well as Bonus Points to surpass Guyana. They bowled out Leewards for 147 off 44.3 overs with their four fast bowlers taking nine of the ten wickets to secure the Bonus Points on a lively pitch at Kensington Oval.
Tarryck Gabriel then played a number of stylish shots all around the ground as he made 60 not out off 70 balls which took his team to the target with 83 balls left. He ended the match with a superb six over midwicket into the Greenidge & Haynes Stand.
The other two seventh round matches between Barbados and Jamaica at Bayfield; and Trinidad and Tobago and ICC Americas at Pine Basin were both washed out after heavy rain on Tuesday night.
The win took Windwards to 35 points as they leapfrogged Guyana who had a bye in the final round. The Guyanese ended second on 34 points, Jamaica placed third on 27.5 points, while last year’s winners Barbados had to settle for fourth spot on 21.5 points.
Coach of the Windwards team, Raymond Duncan was quite pleased with the efforts of his young players on the final day.
“We came up big when it mattered most, that was today. We needed a win and we also needed some Bonus Points, so we used four pace bowlers and they did the job for us. We showed that we have quality in our bowling department and I am happy with the way the boys went about the job today,” the longstanding coach said after celebrating the triumph.
“We started the tournament slowly but you could see we got better and better as the tournament went on. It is good that the boys have something to take home and after a month of hard work during the tournament I’m sure they will cherish this victory for a long time.”
SCORE SUMMARIES
At Kensington Oval: Windward Islands beat Leeward Islands by six wickets
Leewards 147 all out off 44.3 overs (Gidron Pope 2-22, Ray Jordan 2-26, Preston McSween 2-33) Windwards 148-4 off 36.1 overs (Tarryck Gabriel 60 not out, Gidron Pope 27)
At Pine Basin: ICC Americas vs Trinidad and Tobago – no play due to wet outfield
At Bayfield: Barbados vs Jamaica – no play due to wet outfield
FINAL POINTS STANDINGS
Windwards 35.0
Guyana 34.0
Jamaica 27.5
Barbados 21.5
T&T 13.5
Americas 13.5
Leewards 8.0
