TT U-19s make good start in final

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Trinidad and Tobago, sent to bat by the Windward Islands, were piled up 228 for seven wickets at stumps on the opening day of their TCL Group Challenge three-day cricket championship at Bourda yesterday.

After a start delayed until 11.15 am by rain, Trinidad and Tobago opening  batsman Tishan Maraj struck a polished 73 in a century opening stand. And skipper Denesh Ramdin cracked a splendid 58 to carry his team to their strong close of play position. But the middle-order batsmen gave Trinidad and Tobago some scary moments as there was a big slide after they went in to tea on 137 for one wicket. Trinidad and Tobago lost three quick wickets for the addition of only 27 runs, before lower-order hard-hitter Jonathan Augustus waded into the Windward Islanders bowling to blast 39. Spinner Denroy Charles was the most successful bowler for the Windwards, taking four wickets for 70 runs. The Trinidad and Tobago lads are attempting to become the first team to score the double, having already won the limited-overs version of the series. To date, the Trinidadians have played through this three-day championship with a 100 percent record, winning all their matches outright. And they hold a psychological advantage over the Windward Islanders, having beaten them twice before, in the limited-overs tournament and again in the preliminary round of this three-day series.

Summarised scores: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 228/7 — Tishan Maraj 73, Denesh Ramdin 58, Jonathan Augustus 39, Denroy Charles 4/70