GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC):
MIDDLE-ORDER batsmen Andre Creary and Shacoya Thomas struck half-centuries to give Jamaica a sound start against title-holders Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 tournament yesterday at Bourda.
The pint-sized 15-year-old Creary struck a courageous 59 and Thomas a hard-hitting 54 as they lifted Jamaica to 207 all out in their first innings after they were asked to bat first.
Left with six overs to face at the end, T&T reached 17 for one with opener Alden Daniel falling for nought without a run on the board.
Creary and Thomas featured in an enterprising fifth wicket partnership of 84 in 96 minutes, which frustrated the reigning champions' eight-pronged bowling attack.
Creary faced 202 balls in 277 minutes batting and struck eight fours, while Thomas' innings lasted 96 minutes and contained six fours and one six.
Medium-pacer Jeewan Ramroop was Trinidad and Tobago's leading bowler grabbing five wickets for 27, and was well supported by skipper and off-spinner Sunil Narine who picked up four for 82.
Earlier, Ramroop struck an early blow for T&T when he uprooted the stumps of Zeniffe Fowler (0) with the score on 13.
First victim
The Jamaicans, aided at times by sloppy fielding, pushed on to 45 before Narine claimed his first of four victims when he had Marlon Johnson (36) leg before wicket.
Jamaica went to lunch on 82 for two with skipper Jamie Trenchfield on 21 and Creary 18 but on resumption, Ramroop removed Trenchfield, bowled for 22 to leave Jamaica on 83 for three.
Sheldon Powell (2) fell soon afterward but any hopes T&T had of ending the Jamaicans innings early were thwarted by an 84-run, fifth wicket partnership between Creary and Thomas.
The pair carried the score to 169 for four at tea with Creary on 49 and Thomas 47 but were separated after the break, when Thomas was caught and bowled by Ramroop.
At the Police Sports Club, Barbados, responding to the Windward Islands' first innings score of 147, reached 158 for one.
Scores: WINDWARD ISLANDS 147 (Lauron Francis 45, Keddy Lesporis 24; Kemar Roach 5-44, Jonathan Carter 2-9). BARBADOS 158 for one (Jed Yearwood 81 not out, Roger Williams 58).
At Everest: Guyana, replying to the Leewards' 107 all out, reached 148 for three at the close.
Scores: LEEWARDS 107 (Chesney Hughes 55; Troy Gonsalves 5-30, Krishna Deosaran 2-12). GUYANA 148 for three (Richard Ramdeen 59 not out, Shemroy Barrington 55).
