Guyana ended the Windward Islands unbeaten streak with a 38 run victory as action continued yesterday in the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Regional Under-19 Limited overs tournament at Arnos Vale Playing Field in St. Vincent.
Opting to bat first, the reigning champions, Guyana, propelled to 238-9 in their allotted 50 overs. Keemo Paul was Guyana’s principal scorer with 58 from 64 balls, an innings that contained two fours and five sixes. The right handed batsman shared in a 96 run fourth wicket partnership with 16 year old Bhaskar Yadram (35), after Guyana slipped to 41-3 at the start of the 16th over.
Raymond Perez (21) and skipper Travis Persaud (20) also chipped in at the latter part of Guyana’s innings to ensure a competitive total was set. West Indies youth player Ryan John, Alick Anthanaze and Kassim Peltier claimed two wickets each for the Windwards.
In response Windwards were off to a good start as openers Johann Jeremiah (32) and Anil Matthews (39) put together 68 for the first wicket. Emmanuel Stewart (14) then joined force with Matthews and the two took the score to 94 before the former departed. Shortly after Stewart’s demise, Matthews followed with the score on 102.
However, Alick Anthanaze (33) and Johnel Eugene (31 not out) started a recovery as they added 54 for the fourth wicket. Afterwards it was a catastrophic ending to the Windwards’ innings, as the last six wickets fell for 44 runs.
Paul, along with left arm spinners Kheshram Seyhodan and Akenie Adams were the pick of the Guyanese bowlers, picking up three wickets apiece.
Guyana now moves to three wins from four matches and remains in contention to make it to the finals with two preliminary matches remaining against Jamaica and Barbados.
At Park Hill, Jamaica hammered ICC Americas by nine wickets. Deciding to bat first, the ICC Americas made 133 all out in 41.1 overs, with only Sagar Patel (41) and Arjun Patel (32) making it past 30. Tyrone Daley led Jamaica’s bowling department with four wickets while Miguel Smith and Javor Harrison claimed three wickets each.
In reply Jamaica raced to 139-1 in 11.5 overs as the three batsmen who batted scored at fast strike rates. West Indies youth player Michael Frew made a whirlwind 40 from 14 deliveries before he was caught off the bowling of Keifer Phill to be the only casualty for Jamaica.
Jordane Hill who made 42 from 31 balls and Orande Pearson, who made 43 from 26 deliveries, combined for an unbroken second wicket partnership of 85 runs in 7.5 overs.
At Stubbs, Trinidad and Tobago rebounded from their 38 runs loss to Guyana in their previous match to defeat Leeward Islands in a high scoring encounter. Batting first Leewards made 280-6 in their 50 overs, with Tyrone Williams leading the way with 132 while Kofi James recorded an even fifty. Negus Smith claimed two wickets.
In reply Trinidad made 282-6 in 45.2 overs, winning with 4.4 overs to spare. Keagan Simmons smashed 12 fours and two sixes in his top score of 99, while Brandon Maharaj (51) and Kirstan Kallicharan (43) assisted. James grabbed three wickets for the Leewards.
Action will continue on Thursday with Guyana set to face Jamaica, the Leewards will play Windwards, and Barbados will take on ICC Americas.