Captain Bryan Boodram led from the front to guide the national Under-17 cricket team to its first win of the West Indies Cricket Board Regional Tobago House of Assembly Regional U-17 50-over tournament, defeating Leeward Islands by three wickets in Tobago, yesterday.
Chasing a challenging 244 for victory, T&T was 170/4 in the 39th over when Boodram came to the middle to join Sachin Seecharan. When Boodram lost Seecharan with the score on 196, T&T required 48 from 45 balls.
Despite T&T losing two more wickets, Boodram held his nerve, spanking three fours in his unbeaten knock of 28 (39 balls) to take his team to 247/7 after 49 overs. Earlier in the innings, Brandon Maharaj and Keagan Simmons both struck half centuries, slamming 65 and 53 respectively. Jaidel Richardson was the best bowler for the Leewards, taking 3/58 in 10 overs.
Boodram was also effective with his spin bowling, grabbing 4/48 as the Leewards posted 243/9 earlier in the day. Nathaniel McDavid (2/30) and Emilo Gopaul (2/53) both snatched two wickets, while Ross Powell top scored with 75 for the Leewards.
With the win, T&T moved off the bottom of the standings with one round remaining. The final round will be played tomorrow.
SCORES
At Louis D'or: Leeward Islands 243/9 (Ross Powell 75, Dmitri Adams 62, Jaeel Clarke 30 not out, Bryan Boodram 4/48, Nathaniel McDavid 2/30, Emilo Gopaul 2/53) vs T&T 247/7 (49 overs) (Brandon Maharaj 65, Keagan Simmons 53, Kirstan Kallicharan 33, Boodram 28 not out, Jaidel Richardson 3/58) T&T won by three wickets
At Bon Accord: Guyana 225/9 vs Jamaica 86 (27 overs) � Guyana won by 139 runs
At Shaw Park: Barbados 190/8 vs Windward Islands 191/5 (49.2 overs) � Windwards won by five wickets
TOMORROW'S ROUND FIVE MATCHES
Jamaica vs Barbados at Shaw Park
Guyana vs Leeward Islands at Mount Pleasant
T&T vs Windward Islands at Bon Accord