Right-arm spin bowler Kelly Rosales ran through the South-East batting line up yesterday to give North the edge at the close of day one in the semifinal of the BG TT Under-19 InterZone at the Queen's Park Oval, St Clair.
Rosales, a Fatima student, did not let the venue intimidate him as he had impressive figures of 4/8 in six overs. Rosales' spell reduced South East to 149 all out. The Fatima boy was supported by the meidum pace of Tion Webster, who took 2/34 and Jesse Bootan's 2/44.
In reply, North were 96/3 at stumps behind captain Joshua Ramdoo's 33. North will resume today with Webster (25) and Camillio Carimbocas (14), another Fatima student, both unbeaten at the crease.
In the other semifinal at the Caroni Savannah, Jesse Batson struck 79 to leave Central in a strong position against East. Batson, along with Brian Charles (53) and national player Nicholas Pooran (29) took Central to a competitive first innings total of 258. Pooran probably would have liked to get a few more runs before he leaves tonight for Barbados to represent the senior team in the regional Super50 semifinal against CCC on Thursday. Triston Singh grabbed 3/62 for East, while national U-19 player Brian Christmas snatched 2/39.
At the close, East were struggling on 72/4. Charles could not stay out of the action, sending two batsmen back to the pavilion, while conceding only 17 runs. Kaleem Felix (19 not out) and Tevon Jadoo (9 not out) will try to put on a big partnership today to keep East in the match.
Both matches continue today afrom9.30 am.
SCORES
AT CARONI SAVANNAH: Central 258 (Jesse Batson 79, Brian Charles 53, Nicholas Pooran 29, Triston Singh 3/62, Brian Christmas 2/39) vs East 72/4 (Kaleem Felix 19 n.o., Tevon Jadoo 9 n.o., Charles 2/17, Christopher Vincent 1/21)
AT QUEEN'S PARK OVAL: South East 149 (Mike Smith 40, Al Small 26, Kelly Rosales 4/8, Tion Webster 2/34, Jesse Bootan 2/44) vs North 96/3 (Joshua Ramdoo 33, Tion Webster 25 n.o., Camillio Carimbocas 14 n.o)