Ramdin, Rampaul star for Under-19s

ST JOHN’S: Captain Dinesh Ramdin and Assad Fudadin hit match-winning unbeaten half centuries to lead the West Indies Under-19s to a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph over the University XI in their Red Stripe Bowl Zone “B” match at the Antigua Recreation Ground  yesterday. The U-19s made 166 for three from 33.4 overs to easily overhaul the University’s 165 all out from 42 overs, and record their first win in the tournament. Ramdin spanked 77 not out — with 11 fours — from 80 balls and rescued the youth side, with assistance from Fudadin, the left-handed Guyanese, who made 53 not out.

The Trinidadian right-hander came to the crease with his side in trouble at 30 for three, and along with Fudadin, batted the Windies U19s to victory in an unbroken stand of 136 for the fourth wicket. The pair enlivened a somewhat dull match with some enterprising strokes, including Fudadin smacking off-spinner Stanton Proverbs straight into the long-off fence for six. He also hit four fours. This after pacer Jason Bennett had accounted for opener Xavier Marshall (11) and the danger-man Lendl Simmons (16) while fast bowler Ryan Nurse snapped up Tishan Maraj (0) to leave the U19s tottering on 30 for three. But Ramdin, who was named “Man-of-the-Match,” and Fudadin, batted with cool heads and were never afraid to take the charge to the bowlers in an assertive and mature partnership. Earlier, emerging fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, generated pace and bounce from a responsive pitch, and grabbed three for 17 from seven overs to send the University innings into early early decline.

Occasional spinner Jonathan Augustus, playing his first match, took two for three from two overs. Opener Jason Haynes top-scored with 41 and he shared in a 73-run stand with Maurice Clarke (32). Keith Hibbert scored 28 and Ryan Nurse 21 but all the other batsmen failed to reach double figures in another disappointing batting display by the University side. The U19s’ win takes them to six points — two short of joint leaders Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda — while the University XI moved to three under the new points system which allocates a point for a loss. Today’s match will pit champions Barbados, who have five points, against Guyana. The Barbadians need a win to stay alive in the competition.