WICB Regional Under-19
− West Indies U-19 Vice Captain Keemo Paul surprisingly rested
Guyana’s horrendous run in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 three-day tournament continued on Friday, as they were once again rattled for less than a hundred in their final match of this version against Trinidad and Tobago in St Vincent.
The reigning champions were dismissed for an embarrassing 85 all out in 44.4 overs, with only three of their batsmen making it to double figures. Ronaldo Renee, who has been showing good intent from the start of the tournament, top scored with just 20 while his opening partner Joshua Persaud and Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed made 17 and 14 respectively.
In pursuit of 297 to gain first innings advantage, Guyana was off to a satisfactory start, reaching 30 without loss before losing Persaud, caught off the bowling of Jonathan Bootan. From then onwards, it was pure misery for the Guyanese batsmen as Bootan, who opened the bowling, made constant inroads to finish with 7-23 from 17.4 overs. He received support from Bryan Boodram, who collected the other three wickets to finish with figures of 3-29 from 18 overs.
That lackluster batting performance by the defending champs helped Trinidad to a lead of 211 and in sight of an innings victory. After being asked to follow on, Guyana slipped to 24-2 and showed signs of another poor batting display, before Bhaskar Yadram, who was finally promoted to the top of the order where he usually bats, collaborated with skipper Travis Persaud who batted at four for the first time, to add an important and courageous 78 runs third wicket partnership.
Travis Persaud was unfortunate to be out in the day’s final over for 19 – caught Dejourn Charles, bowled Bootan – ending a determined innings which lasted 113 deliveries. At close Yadram was unbeaten on 67 from 121 balls, an innings which included six fours and a six. It is the highest score by a Guyanese in this year’s tournament surpassing Renee’s 55 made in the opening match against Jamaica. Yadram’s effort also brought some pride to the Guyana camp after failing on previous occasions to make the match reach the last day.
Earlier, when the second day play started, Trinidad lost its final wicket for just an additional seven runs after resuming on 289-9. Jerlanie Seales was the man to get out, run out by Sherfane Rutherford for 27, ending a stubborn 49 run partnership for the last wicket. Jabari Mills was left unbeaten on 24.
West Indies Under-19 player Kirstan Kallicharan (91) and Joshua Da Silva (60) were the principal scorers in Trinidad’s first innings total of 296 all out. For Guyana, it was Sylus Tyndall, Rutherford and Looknauth Chinkoo, who spearheaded the bowling with two wickets each.
Guyana will start the third day from 10:00h today with seven wickets in hand and 109 runs away from making Trinidad bat again.
An outright win against Guyana could see Trinidad rocket to the top of the points standing and state claim for the title.
Notable information from a source close to the Guyana camp informed Guyana Times Sport that Guyana rested its best and most experience player Keemo Paul since the game is of no value for Guyana. Also absent from the team were Guyana’s leading wicket taker this year Akenie Adams through a shoulder injury and Keshram Seyhodan, Guyana leading bowler in the second round due to illness. The source also stated that there have been issues between the coach and several of the senior players due to some decisions made by the former.
At the end of day, two in the other two matches – Leewards need another 308 runs with all their wickets in hand to claim a come from behind victory of Jamaica and Winwards won first innings against Barbados and has a 216 runs lead with seven second innings wicket in hand.
