Under-13s hit back at Bajans

Brilliant performances by skipper Yannick Cariah (43) and Sachen Boodram (three wickets for  for 12 runs ) enabled Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-13s to get the better of  their Barbadian counterparts in the second match of the Inshan Ali Memorial Trophy competition yesterday at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain. It was a complete reverse of the first match which Barbados won with two balls to spare at Gilbert Park on Tuesday. Yesterday the young Trinidad and Tobago players scraped home by four wickets with two balls to spare off the allotted 40 overs. The hosts responded with 113 for six off 39.4 overs in reply to Barbados’ 110 for 9 off 40 overs.

Both matches were keenly contested by the outfield and ground conditions at the NCC were far better than those at Gilbert Park.There were also better strokeplay and bigger totals from the experienced players. The home team won the toss and sent in the visitors whose frontline batsmen thrived and made useful contributions. Skipper Anthony Alleyne led from infront with18 while Dario Cummins topscored with 22. Kyle Mayers and Ruston Chase chipped in with 18 and 15 respectively. Boodram was Trinidad and Tobago’s chief wicket-taker and finished with three wickets for 12 runs.

TT’s captain Cariah and his two experienced players Nicholas Alexis and Keshan Ottley from last year’s tournament in Bimshire provided the impetus and stubborn resistance. Eventually, TT  prevailed and sparked wild celebrations among their team-mates with a morale-boosting victory. Cariah topscored with 43 while Alexis made 23 and Ottley 21. Both teams having secured one victory each in the rain-affected Goodwill Series will see the Barbadians taking home the Inshan Ali Memorial Trophy because they are the defending champions. The teams will start their three-day encounter today at the NCC ground. The home team are defending the Malcolm Marshall Memorial Trophy. Skipper Cariah was the main inspiration last year with a magnificent unbeaten 154 and his form is crucial in TT being able to successfully defend the three-day title.