SCARBOROUGH, Tobago, CMC – Brad Barnes spanked the first century of the Regional Under-17 Championship as he skillfully guided Jamaica to a six-wicket win over Leeward Islands here yesterday.
Set a challenging 256 for victory in a rescheduled first round match at Shaw Park, Jamaica eased to 257 for four with ten deliveries remaining, thanks to Barnes’s unbeaten 105 from 106 balls.
Barnes, who struck eight fours and a six, was supported by opener Jordan Hill who stroked 66 and Javelle Glenn, who got 27.
Left-arm spinner Karima Gore was the best bowler with two for 46.
Earlier, the Leeward Islands rallied to 255 for seven off their 50 overs after choosing to bat first, with Kofi James top scoring with 79 not out, Dmitri Adams getting 37, Ross Powell, 29, and Michael Lewis, 28.
Captain Michael Frew (2-33) and Orane Pearson (2-36) both finished with two wickets apiece.
The victory for Jamaica carried them to second spot in the standings on 18.5 points, ahead of today’s final round of matches. Windward Islands top the standings with 19.2 points.
Barbados have 13.4 points along with Guyana, while Trinidad and Tobago have six and the Leewards, 1.5 points.
Captain Powell and Lewis gave Leewards a bright start, adding 66 off 75 balls for the first wicket. Powell faced just 27 balls and counted five fours while Lewis spent 48 balls at the crease for a similar boundary count.
Both fell in the space of three balls to leave the Leewards on 66 for two in the 13th over but two enterprising partnerships hauled the Leewards back into the contest.
Adams and Cameron Pennyfeather (15) put on 51 for the third wicket before James and Gore (16) added another 73 for the seventh wicket, following a period of instability which saw the Leewards lose four wickets for 65 runs.
James faced 78 balls in a less than a-run-a-ball knock, punching eight fours and two sixes, as Leewards closed out their innings strongly.
In reply, Jamaica were propelled by four great partnerships – three of which were anchored by the unflappable Barnes.
Hill, who carved out seven fours in his 86-ball innings, put on 47 for the first wicket with Andre Bailey who scored 21 before falling in the 13th over.
Entered Barnes to take command, and he posted 77 for the second wicket with Hill, another 46 for the third wicket with his captain Frew (23) and a further 65 for the fourth wicket with Glenn, to erase any doubt about the result.
In the final round of matches, Jamaica face Barbados at Shaw Park, Guyana take on Windwards at Mount Pleasant while T&T battle Leewards at Bon Accord.
