T&T cruise to victory

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC):

An unbroken sixth-wicket partnership between Derone Davis and Akeal Hosein hauled Trinidad and Tobago out of trouble and steered them to a convincing five-wicket win over

Barbados in the second round of the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 One-Day Trophy yesterday.

The game was the only one possible after the other two second round fixtures, Jamaica versus the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands versus Guyana, were abandoned because of impaired outfields resulting from heavy rain on Friday.

In a spot of bother at 96 for five in the 26th over, Davis and Hosein put on 73 to propel T&T to 169 for five off 40.1 overs, overhauling Barbados’ hardly challenging 165 all out off 45.5 overs.

Davis stroked an enterprising, unbeaten 49 from 47 balls with six fours and two sixes while Hosein, who lent firm support, had three fours in his 27 from 53 balls.

Unbeaten run

Earlier, opener Clint St Hill top-scored with 57 and Dario Cummins struck an unbeaten 47 down the order, but Barbados were man-handled by the Trinidadian bowlers on a Gros Islet playfield pitch that had early life.

Fast bowler Teshawn Castro prospered with four for 32 while left-arm spinner Yannick Ottley (2-19) and leg-spinner Yannic Cariah (2-41) finished with two wickets apiece.

Defending their paltry target, Barbados had a dream start when left-arm seamer Ravendra Persaud removed both openers to send T&T crashing to 36 for three.

He had Kieron Joseph caught behind in the third over for 15 with the score on 16 before fellow seamer Justin Greaves had Evin Lewis caught at cover by Marquez Clarke for four in the next over.

Persaud claimed his second when Alexis nibbled at one outside off-stump and was caught behind at 38 for three.

A 42-run stand between captain Yannick Ottley and Yannic Cariah then repaired the innings and put the Trinidadians back on course.