SPORTS BRIEFS

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC):

Jonathan Carter's unbeaten half-century was enough to see West Indies A to victory by four wickets, in the opening one-dayer of the three-match series against Bangladesh A here yesterday. The right-hander stroked 68 as West Indies overhauled their target of 183, reaching 184 for six off 44.4 overs at the Arnos Vale Stadium.

West Indies A were struggling at 72 for four in the 21st over, but Carter anchored two partnerships to see his side out of danger. He put on a breezy 41 with Devon Thomas (15) for the fifth wicket, before putting on a further 30 for the sixth wicket with Carlos Brathwaite (16). Off-spinner Shohag Gazi (2-33) and medium pacer Kamrul Islam (2-43) claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Nasiruddin Faruque stroked an unbeaten 82 to prop up the Bangladesh A innings, after it floundered at 49 for three. They reached 182 off their 50 overs with seamers Brathwaite (2-25) and Jason Holder (2-42) finishing with two wickets each.

Boyz move up

PORt-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Trinidad and Tobago have paid for their failed World Cup qualifying campaigning, sliding seven spots in the latest FIFA rankings. T&T are now 86th in the world in the newest rankings released yesterday, and have also fallen to fourth in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). Normally, T&T commands either first or second spot in the CFU, trading spots with Jamaica, who are now ranked number one and 47th in the world.

The Reggae Boyz position is three placed higher than their previous ranking.

French side Haiti have jumped 29 spots in the FIFA rankings to 78th and into second spot in CFU. Antigua have also been rewarded for their form which saw them reach the next round of qualifiers, rising seven spots to 83rd in FIFA and third in CFU. Cuba (92nd) are fifth in CFU.