Barbados crowned Under-17 cricket champs

PORT OF SPAIN: Barbados expectedly notched their third consecutive victory to successfully defend their Cricket West Indies Under-17 Two-Day title when the competition climaxed on August 22.

Led by a superb bowling performance by left-arm spinner Zachary Carter, Barbados hammered Jamaica by an innings and 46 runs in their third-round encounter at Gilbert Park in California to end the tournament with an unbeaten 3-0 record.

Guyana, resuming overnight on 49/5 in pursuit of Barbados’ first innings total of 188, were bundled out for 66 with Carter grabbing 6/24 from 10.1 overs.

He added the wickets of Jonathan van Lange, Riyad Latiff and Devon Wharton to his tally, as Barbados ran through Guyana’s lower order by capturing the last five wickets for the addition of only 17 runs.

R’Jai Gittens (2/15), provided ample support.

Asked to bat a second time after trailing by 122 runs, Guyana only fared slightly better in their second innings, being eventually bowled out for 76 runs with only three batsmen scoring in double figures.

Guyana looked in position to put up a better fight during a 38-run partnership between Rampersaud Ramnauth, who made 21, and Emmanuel Lewis (16), with the pair carrying the score to 42/1.

But once Gittens struck to remove Ramnauth, Guyana’s innings collapsed as they lost their last nine wickets for 34 runs.

Xaundre Baptiste was the main destroyer this time around with 4/8, while Gittens (3/6) and Carter (3/33) also chipped in.

Carter ended with match figures of 9/57.

The Windward Islands finished in second position after they romped to a massive 115-run win over TT at the National Cricket Centre.

Joel Durand’s four-wicket haul helped to limit TT to 91 in their first innings, to give the Windward Islands a useful 61-run first innings lead.

Earshino Fontaine then struck a polished 51 as the Windward Islands declared their second innings on 150/7, setting TT 212 runs for victory.

They never came close though, as Edmund Morancie and Theo Edward snagged three wickets apiece and TT never recovered from 4/3 to eventually be dismissed for 96.

The final contest between Jamaica and the Leeward Islands at Inshan Ali Park finished in a tame draw.

Jamaica managed to secure a slim 23-run first innings lead after posting 187 in response to the Leeward Islands’ 164.

When play was eventually called off, the Leeward Islands were 62/4 in their second innings. CMC