GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – A brilliant innings by Akeal Hosein was not enough to save Trinidad and Tobago from defeat against Jamaica on the third and final day of their first round WICB Regional Under-19 match yesterday. The small, compact left-hander made a well-compiled 98, before he was last man out as he tried in vain to reach his maiden century, leaving T&T all out for 202 in the second innings after they were forced to follow-on 184 behind.
Jamaica needed just 19 runs for victory and their openers Oshane Walters (12 not out) and John Campbell (six not out) reached the target in two overs to record a 10-wicket victory and go to the top of the table.
Hosein started the day at Everest on 16 not out with his side on 52 for three, and in serious danger of not reaching the 184 to make Jamaica bat a second time.
He batted through the first session and was 62 not out at lunch but at that stage T&T were in deeper trouble at 136 for seven. After lunch he took full control and dominated the rest of the innings.
Overall he batted for just over five hours, faced 209 balls and hit five boundaries.
He entered the 90s with a superb drive down to long-off for three and then manipulated the strike while batting with the tail-enders. He went from 94 to 98 with a magnificent straight hit off pacer Bryan McDonald.
However, he tried to repeat the shot next ball, mistimed it, and was caught at short mid-off to end the innings.
Hosein shared in three fighting partnerships. He added 35 for the fourth wicket with nightwatchman Javon Ali, who batted for an hour-and-a-half and faced 51 balls for his five.
Hosein was then joined by left-hander Derone Davis, who hit three fours in 25 off 50 balls, as they added 47 for the sixth wicket. T&T then slipped to 136 for seven when Davis and skipper Stephen Katwaroo fell in the space of two overs.
After lunch, Hosein came together with Idrees Mohammed and they added 58 in 99 minutes. Mohammed, a tough, determined right-hander, defended resolutely and made 23 from 79 balls but eventually had his defence breached and his stumps shattered when he failed come to grips with the extra pace of Marquino Mindley.
McDonald, the six-foot, seven-inch right-arm pacer was exceptional and posed problems for all the T&T batsmen.
He had the impressive figures of three wickets for 14 runs off 10.3 overs with seven maidens, and was well backed up by new-ball partner Mindley, the bustling medium-fast bowler, who took two for 20 from 11 overs.
Skipper Donovan Nelson ended with two for 62 with his leg-spin to grab six wickets in the match.