The Windward Islands fell to a second consecutive defeat at the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 50-Over Championship. They were beaten by Trinidad & Tobago by three wickets at Coolidge Cricket Ground in St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, despite Tyler Venner batting well and the team working hard in the field.
Windwards captain Theo Edward won the toss and opted to bat first. He and fellow Saint Lucian Johnathan Daniel scored 37 runs together for the first wicket. Edward was out in the seventh over after making 13 runs from 14 balls.
West Indies Under-19 player Earsinho Fontaine followed shortly thereafter, having made 12. Daniel was dismissed for 27 off 30 balls, inclusive of a four and two sixes. Khavaugn Bartholomew, Aiden Burton and Cody Fontenelle were all back in the pavilion with the score 73-6 after 20 overs.
Just like in the first match, Venner played carefully and scored 62 runs from 96 balls, including three fours and two sixes. This was his second straight half-century. Kevin Joseph and Kazado Henry also reached double figures, helping the team reach 183-9. Venner was the last man out in the 50th over.
Venner gave Windwards a good start with the ball by getting Zakariyya Mohammed out in the first over of Trinidad & Tobago’s innings. However, the men from the twin-island republic built a strong 39-ball partnership for the second wicket. When their captain Brendan Boodoo was out for 67, they were cruising at 160-5 after 32 overs.
Medium pacer Aravinda Bishop grabbed three quick wickets to help give the Windwards some hope. The scores were tied at 183 when the seventh wicket fell on the first ball of the 39th over. Four balls later, Trinidad & Tobago scored the winning run.
Jamaica and defending champions Barbados also won their matches.
