The National Under-17 cricket team could not retain the West Indies Cricket Board Tobago House of Assembly Regional U-17 50-over title, but the team earned respect from opposing coaches during the tournament, which concluded on Tuesday in Tobago.
In the final round Barbados defeated Jamaica by seven wickets to seal the title with 19.9 points ahead of the Windward Islands (19.5 points).
T&T lost its first three matches but ended positively winning the last two matches to finish in fifth place with 12.1 points.
Sammy said former West Indies fast bowler Vasbert Drakes, who coached Barbados to the title has showed interest in T&T fast bowler Jarlarnie Seales, saying the bowler has potential. Seales was the only fast bowler available for T&T in the last three matches as Dexter Sween picked up an injury in the second round against Jamaica.
Sammy stated that the Leeward Islands coach Keith Arthurton, another former West Indian cricketer, saw potential in the T&T team.
Unfortunately, T&T will not have the services next year of its top batsman in the tournament Brandon Maharaj. Maharaj scored 188 runs in five innings with an average of 47. His highest score was 65 in round four against the Leeward Islands. Maharaj will move on to the U-19 team.
FINAL STANDINGS
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Team P W L Abd BP MP TP
Barbados 5 3 1 1 1.9 18 19.9
Windwards 5 3 2 0 1.5 18 19.5
Jamaica 5 3 2 0 0.6 18 18.6
Guyana 5 2 2 1 2.1 12 14.1
T&T 5 2 3 0 0.1 12 12.1
Leewards 5 1 4 0 1.9 6 7.9
Abd - Abandoned
BP - Bonus points (0.1 points for each wicket taken by a fast bowler)
MP - Match Points
TP - Total Points