Barath (134 n.o.) ensures Under-15 win

Trinidad and Tobago’s vice-captain Adrian Barath hit an undefeated 134 to set a new regional record and pilot his team to a 58-run victory over dethroned champions Barbados yesterday when the CLICO West Indies Under 15 Championships resumed with third round matches. At the Pierre Road in Charlieville, Chaguanas, the homesters kept on course for their fourth Under-15 title having scored a hat-trick of victories in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

The win yesterday also preserved the home team’s unbeaten run in this year’s competition and it effectively ended Barbados’ reign. The Bajans have lost three consecutive matches and with it their crown. The battle now is between TT and Windward Islands, who also remained unbeaten when they defeated last year’s runner-up Guyana by six wickets at Presentation College, Chaguanas. TT batted first and amassed the highest team score so far with an imposing 239 for the loss of three wickets off the allotted 50 overs.

Barath once again emerged the batting hero for the third consecutive match and his unbeaten 134 became the highest individual score by a player in the regional Under-15 series. He was associated in two significant partnerships with opener Akeem Mohammed and number three batsman Yannick Carriah. Together with Mohammed, who made 23, they posted 67 for the first wicket as Mohammed hit one six and one four. And then the TT vice-captain continued his dominance with a 130-run second wicket partnership with Carriah who made 40 including four fours.  Barath pushed to his maiden regional youth century, the first for this year’s tournament in an innings which lasted 207 minutes. He delighted the small crowd with 11 fours off 161 balls.

In reply, Barbados were dismissed for 181 in 49.4 overs. Leslie Reifer was the main run-getter with an attractive 62 with two sixes and eight fours. Adrian Caddle and Dario Vaughn contributed 23 and 21 respectively. Skipper Kjorn Ottley was the main wicket-taker with four wickets for 31. Kareem Jumadeen and Varoon Samaroo claimed two wickets each .

TT must now beat the Windwards in their crucial encounter on April 8 at the Inshan Ali Park, Preysal to take the championship honours. In the other match, Jamaica beat Leeward Islands by 61 runs in their match played at the NCC ground, Balmain. It was Jamaica’s second victory of the series and they remain in third spot behind joint leaders TT and Windwards. In today matches, TT will clash with Jamaica at the Munroe Road Ground in Cunupia while Guyana and Barbados will do battle at the Barataria Oval.

Summarised Scores — 
At Pierre Road: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 239 for 3 off 50 overs (Adrian Barath 134 n.o., Akeem Mohammed 23, Yannick Carriah 40; Adrian Caddle 2 for 31) vs BARBADOS 181 all out off 49.4 overs (Leslie Reifer jnr 62, Adrian Caddle 23, Dario Vaughn 21; Kjorn Ottley 4 for 31, Kareem Jumadeen 2 for 47, Varoon Samaroo 2 for 20).
RESULT: TT won by 58 runs.
“Man-of-the-Match”: Adrian Barath (TT).
At Presentation, Chaguanas: GUYANA 149 all out in 48.7 overs (Jitendra Sookdeo 43, Dihlon Johnson 4 for 35, Dalton Pollius 4 for 28) vs WINDWARD ISLANDS 150 for 4 (Kemran Azille 44, Sheldon Harper 24).
“Man-of-the-Match”: Dalton Pollius (Windwards)
RESULT: Windwards won by six wickets.
At NCC, Balmain: JAMAICA 194 for 6 off 50 overs (Adrian Morris 33 n.o., Gareth Garvey 32, Keron Powell 3 for 39, Joseph Williams 2 for 27) vs LEEWARD ISLANDS 133 for 9 (Chesney Hughes 29, Joseph Williams 27; Rajiv Service 3 for 32, Jaime Hollis 2 for 30, Patrick Harvey 2 for 18).
Result: Jamaica won by 61 runs.
“Man-of-Match”: Joseph Williams (Leewards).