Guyana end TT U-15s win streak

KINGSTOWN: Guyana whipped Trinidad and Tobago by nine wickets, snapping the three-time defending champions’ extraordinary winning streak at 18 games as the West Indies Under-15 cricket tournament continued yesterday.

The Guyana captain Krishna Deosarran produced a fine all-round performance, grabbing three wickets and posting a half-century to hand Trinidad and Tobago their first loss in the tournament since 1999. In other matches, Jamaica defeated the Leeward Islands by six wickets, and the Windward Islands beat Barbados by seven wickets. Batting first at Stubbs, Trinidad and Tobago, who won the championship in 2000, 2001, and 2002, struggled to 141 all out off 47.1 overs with spinner Deosarran capturing three for 23 and fast bowler Anthony Foster, three for 28.

Vishan Jagessar top-scored for Trinidad and Tobago with 37. Man of the Match Deosarran then stroked 54 not out and Stephen Jacobs 43 not out, as the Guyanese cruised to 143 for one - off only 31.5 overs - and their second consecutive win. At Arnos Vale, Jamaica joined Guyana on top of the early point standings with their second win. The Leeward Islands first posted 202 for eight off 50 overs, with Orlando Peters getting 61 and Kieran Powell 30. Spinner Tavare Green bagged three for 30 for the Jamaicans, who coasted to victory at 203 for four off 44.4 overs, with captain and Man of the Match Jamie Trenchfield hitting an unbeaten 71, with five fours and one six. Marlon Johnson (39) and Zeniffe Fowler (22) were the next highest scorers for Jamaica, who are bidding for their first Under-15 title since winning the inaugural championship at home in 1996.

Barbados crashed to their second straight loss when Man of the Match St Clair Dixon propelled the Windwards to a good win at Sion Hill. Raydon Toppin struck a shot-filled 57 not out, with eight fours and two sixes, while captain Jedd Yearwood and Simon Steele each got 36, but the  Barbados total of 194 for nine off 50 overs was not enough. Dixon, whose off-spin bowling earned him figures of three for 35, guided the Windwards to victory with 74, supported by Lauron Francois (72) and Andre Fletcher (35 not out). The Windwards ended on 197 for three off 47.2 overs. The tournament takes a break today and resumes tomorrow with the Windwards playing the Leewards, Trinidad and Tobago facing Jamaica, and Guyana tackling Barbados.