The fight for the Cricket West Indies Regional Under-15 Championship title will go down to the final day after T&T beat the Windward Islands by six runs yesterday in the penultimate round at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.
The victory for T&T was worth 6.2 points, which takes the local boys to a total of 25.1 points at the top of the six-team table. Guyana, on the other hand, gained 6.4 points from its victory against the Leeward Islands. They have now replaced the Windwards in second place on 18.9 points. The final round of matches will decide the winner as T&T faces Guyana.
After cruising for much of the tournament, the local lads met a tough opponent in the Windwards. They were inserted to bat after losing the toss. T&T got off to a perfect start with the opening pair of Romario King and Kavir Boodoosingh putting on 101 runs in 26 overs. The latter scored 59 runs in what was a patient knock that lasted over two and a half hours and included six boundaries. King, on the other hand, was run out for 37 just as he got going.
However, after the solid opening stand, T&T endured a slide losing wickets consistently. Wicket-keeper Verran Batchu chipped in with an important 26 from 24 balls. T&T ended its innings on 213 all out in 47.5 overs. Solomon Bascombe finished with four wickets for 50 runs as he was the pick of the Windwards' bowlers.
In the chase, the Windwards was reduced to 40 for two after 12.5 overs. However, as wickets fell around him, opener Mahid Lambert stood tall for his side. He was batting brilliantly, getting to 50 before he was run out. Divonie Joseph picked up where his teammate left off, scoring 68 runs from 75 balls. His knock, which lasted one hour and 17 minutes, included three sixes and six boundaries. However, after Joseph was out and the Windwards were reduced to 146 for three, they endured a collapse.
Suddenly, they were 150 for six and struggling to stay in contention. The task became harder for the Windwards as they consistently lost wickets in the backend of the innings. They merely stumbled to 210 for nine from their 50 overs, falling short by six runs. T&T’s Joshua Davis finished as the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 49. Boodoosingh was named man-of-the-match.
Scores:
At Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium: T&T won by six runs
T&T 231 off 47.5 overs (Kavir Boodoosingh 59, Romario King 37; Solomon Bascombe 4-50) vs WINDWARD ISLANDS 225 for nine off 50 overs (Divonie Joseph 68, Mahid Lambert 50; Joshua Davis 3-49).
At Coolidge Cricket Ground: Jamaica won by 46 runs.
JAMAICA 289 for seven off 50 overs (Jordan Johnson 93, Steven Wedderburn 71; Jaden Lorde 3-58) vs BARBADOS 243 for nine off 50 overs (Edwin Currency 59, Joshua Morris 37; Reon Edwards 3-54).
At Liberta: Guyana won by 96 runs.
GUYANA 264 for six off 50 overs (Mavindra Dindyal 87, Zachary Jodah 68 not out) vs LEEWARD ISLANDS 168 for eight off 50 overs (Jewel Andrew 48 not out; Isai Thorne 4-37)