Windward Islands Volcanoes were deprived of some valuable points after rain ruined their game against Windies B a few nights ago at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago.
Rain ruined a good-looking contest between the Volcanoes and Windies B
The champs are currently in third place with 7 points, but will be feeling robbed after Tuesday’s no-result match saw a few points being shaven off. Chasing what looked like a modest 221, given their recent batting performances, Volcanoes had cruised to 49-0 after just 7 overs when rain ended proceedings.
With their next match against Canada on Saturday, the champs would have been happy to secure a win while affording their batters more play-time on the field. Each team gained a point, following the no-result ,leaving the defending champions, trailing the second placed Guyana Jaguars by 3 points and table-leaders Trinidad Red Force, who are unbeaten, by 6.
The Marlon Samuels Windies B deserved their unanimous spoils after a number of their batsmen, namely the Windies U-19 players stepped up in the batting department. All found form in the rain-affected game with a solid 57 from opener Keagan Simmons, Guyanese and ex-Windies U-19 World Cup winning keeper Tevin Imlach struck 43, opener Kimani Melius 33, Kirstan Kallicharan, 29, and Captain Samuels 24.
Veteran opener Devon Smith, with a century under his belt, looked ominous, smashing three fours and a six in a 23-ball unbeaten 27, while another in-from player Tyrone Theophile was forced to retire hurt in the fourth over with the score on 35, before the heavens opened, leaving the venue unfit for a re-start.
Earlier, the Windies B started well on 142 for 2 before losing their way. Simmons faced 83 balls and struck five fours while Melius slammed two fours and three sixes in a 22-ball cameo. Simmons then added 66 with Kallicharan, whose run-a-ball knock included four fours, before adding a further 34 with his captain for the third wicket. Off-spinner Alick Athanaze continued to make significant inroads as he bagged 3-49. Action continues over the weekend in Trinidad with more Group A games. (Clifton Ross)
