WI U15 Champs: Guyana, Barbados post contrasting wins

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Guyana and Barbados produced contrasting performances but both remained unbeaten in the West Indies Under-15 Championship here Easter Monday.

Playing at Bethesda Sports Ground, Guyana thrashed Windward Islands by 91 runs while Barbados were forced to fight back before completing a four-wicket win over Jamaica at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

In the other game at Liberta Sports Club, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) defeated Leeward Islands by three wickets to notch their first win following defeats to Guyana and Barbados in the previous round.

Guyana were impressive after being sent in, piling up 251 for six off their 50 overs with Adrian Hetmyer top-scoring with 52 off 58 deliveries with three fours and two sixes.

Shamar Apple chipped in with an unbeaten 43 off 46 deliveries with two fours and a six while Khush Seegobin (35) and Parmeshwar Ram (30) produced supporting knocks.

Leg-spinner Aravinda Bishop was the leading bowler with three for 35.

160 ALL OUT

In reply, off-spinners Richard Ramdehol (3-7) and Ravaldo Pereira (3-35) claimed three wickets apiece to send Windwards crashing for 160 all out in the 40th over.

Opener Earsinho Fontaine top-scored with 35 off 64 deliveries with five fours while Khavaugh Bartholomew chipped in with 29 but the Windwards proved well short with their batting effort.

Barbados, though, endured some hiccups before disposing of Jamaica, restricting them to 168 for nine off their 50 overs after they were asked to bowl first.

Off-spinner Ramiro Stoute (3-33) and pacer Jayden Chase (3-36) spearheaded the attack for Barbados and Romareo Salmon was left to prop up the innings at number six with a top score of 48 off 67 balls with two fours and a six.

Barbados’ run chase began poorly when they slumped to 13 for two in the fourth over but Kelani Clarke (30) and Justin Parris (26) combined in a 57-run third-wicket stand to repair the damage.

However, once Parris pulled a long hop from leg-spinner Andrew Lloyd and was caught at deep mid-wicket, Barbados slumped again losing three wickets for three runs to slip to 73 for five in the 14th over.

Kemar Dixon came to his side’s rescue, top-scoring with 43 not out off 97 balls with four fours, and anchoring a crucial 92-run sixth-wicket partnership with Rajeev Parsooram whose 40 came from 74 balls and included three fours, to put his side on the brink of victory.