Reigning champions Guyana are in winners’ row as first round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 limited over ended yesterday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Barbados and Jamaica were the other teams to record wins on the opening day.
Bhaskar Yadram
In the three matches, Guyana defeated ICC Americas by six wickets, Jamaica got past three-day champs Trinidad and Tobago by six wickets and Barbados thrashed Leeward Islands by seven wickets.
At the Arnos Vale Playing Field, West Indies U-19 vice captain Keemo Paul marked his return to the Guyana team after surprisingly being rested for the last match in the three-day version, with a spectacular all-round performance which saw him belted 72 runs and took four wickets to inspire Guyana to a convincing six-wicket victory.
Paul was instrumental with figures of 4-37 in dismissing his opponents for 173 in 48.5 overs after they were inserted by Guyana. He was supported by left arm spinner Akenie Adams, who bowled economically and effectively to claim 3-27 from 10 overs and part time spinner Malcolm Hubbard, who bagged 2-15. Opener Akasdeep Gill and Aran Pathmanathan were ICC Americas main contributors with scores of 41 and 28 respectively.
In reply, Paul led Guyana’s charge as he combined with 16 year-old Bhaskar Yadram for a fourth wicket partnership worth 111 runs after Guyana had slipped to 34-3. Paul innings contained six fours and four sixes. After Paul’s demise, Yadram saw Guyana home remaining unbeaten on 57 off 63 balls and with him was skipper Travis Persaud on 15; Keifer Phill collected two wickets.
At Sion Hill, Miguel Smith 5-35 and Keyshawn Beale 56 not out inspired Jamaica to a comfortable win over Trinidad. Opting to bowl first, Jamaica restricted Trinidad to 131 all out before replying with 135-4 in 32 overs.
When Trinidad batted, Keagon Simon (28) and Jonathan Bootan were the only batsmen to reach 20 as Smith, and left arm spinner Jeavor Royan 3-20 made constant inroads for the Jamaicans. In response, Beale led the way for Jamaica with an unbeaten half century while West Indies U-19 player, Michael Frew, contributed with 45.
Barbados completed an easy win against Leewards at Park Hill as Tremaine Harris 4-20 from 10 overs and Joshua Bishop 3-21 from 10 overs joined forces to capture seven wickets as the latter team was routed for 105 in 40.2 overs. Tyrone Williams fought hard for 34 as no other batsman reached 15. West Indies U-19 fast bowler claimed one wicket.
Nicholas Kirton hit 30 not out to spearhead Barbados’ chase. He received support from Kilano Braithwaite, who made 21 while Shamar Spriinger hit a cameo of 19 from 11 deliveries. Daniel Doram got two wickets for Leewards while Kion Pemberton claimed the only other
Keemo Paul
wicket.
The tournament is scheduled to continue today , with Jamaica playing Windwards at Arnos Vale Sports Complex; Leewards against ICC Americas at Park Hill and Trinidad and Barbados clash at Sion Hill.
