India ‘A’ draw so TT into semi-finals

BRIDGETOWN: India “A’s” hopes of qualifying for the Carib Beer Series regional cricket tournament’s semi-finals were dashed by West Indies “B” yesterday in their rescheduled match in Barbados.

India “A”, set 268 to win in just under two sessions, finished on 205 for nine in 57 overs to earn a draw. The Indians needed an outright victory to displace Trinidad and advance to the Carib International Challenge semi-finals. The result means that Trinidad and Tobago finished fourth and they meet Carib Beer Cup champions Barbados in the International Challenge semi-finals here on Thursday. Second place Guyana host third place Jamaica in the other semi-final on the same day.

Left-hander Connor Williams top-scored with 75 yesterday, but once he was sixth out at 160, the Indians’ hopes subsided. The 29-year-old from Baroda hit nine fours off 109 balls in two hours. Last pair Tinu Yohannan (15 not out) and Aviskhar Salvi (19 not out) negotiated 17.1 overs in adding 40 unbroken in 72 minutes to ward off defeat. Earlier, West Indies “B,” resuming their second innings at 115 for seven, resisted until just after lunch, before they were dismissed for 175. Lorenzo Ingram scored an unbeaten 35 off 133 balls with one boundary. His last wicket stand with fellow Jamaican left-hander Andrew Richardson (13) added 40 crucial runs in 48 minutes. Fast bowler Avishkar Salvi claimed the last two wickets to end with three for 40 off 13.3 overs. Medium pacer Jai Prakash Yadav added one, for figures of four for 46 off 25 overs.