Under-19s play B’dos in ‘semis’

GEORGETOWN: Guyana moved a step closer to recapturing the regional Under-19 three-day cricket title they last won in 1999 by advancing to the 2003 semi-final with a crushing innings and 50 runs victory over Canada at Bourda yesterday. Resuming on 77 for four wickets, still needing 119 more runs to make Guyana bat a second time, Canada were bowled out just after lunch for 145, despite a fighting 32 with four fours from 89 balls from Gavin Bastiampillai. Guyana, who failed to reach the semi-finals last year in Jamaica, will face the Windward Islands at Enmore in one semi-final beginning on Sunday, while unbeaten Trinidad and Tobago battle Barbados in the other semi-final at Wales.

TT drew their match against Jamaica yesterday after securing first innings points on Thursday. The Guyanese needed an outright win from this match to top the zone and although one of their fears — the rain —— never materialised, they were frustrated in the first session by some resolute batting from Bastiampillai and the lower order, on a flat track in brilliant sunshine. Guyana ended the preliminary round with 27 points, while Barbados (21), the Leewards (12) and Canada (6) were the other teams in Zone “A”.