… Leewards-Jamaica match abandoned

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Barbados fought off a stiff challenge from the Windward Islands to force a two-wicket win while Guyana romped to an easy 49-run triumph over ICC Americas in second round matches of the Regional Under-19 Championship yesterday.Barbados captain Joshua Drakes dug his side out of a precarious position brought on by a spectacular batting collapse, on the hunt for a small target after Windwards were bowled out for 111 at the Demerara Cricket Club.
Chasing 112 to win Barbados lost early wickets as frontline batsmen struggled to negotiate a fiery opening spell from Sherman Lewis.
Lewis rocked the top order, grabbing three of the first four wickets to fall in the first seven balls and leaving the Bajans reeling.
Windwards kept the pressure on Barbados as wickets fell regularly but Drakes batted responsibly to push Barbados closer to their target by compiling an unbeaten knock of 43.
He received little support except from Shamar Springer 14 and Chad Williams 10 – the only two other batsmen to reach double figures.
Lewis finished with impressive figures of four wickets for 24 runs including three maidens from nine overs.
Earlier, Windward Islands captain Roland Cato hit a top score of 23 before he was caught at long on, attempting to rescue a struggling innings.
Tonis Simon chipped in with 19; Kershaskie Jno Lewis 14, and Anson Latchman hit Neil Persuad for two consecutive sixes then lost his middle stump.
Persuad, Williams and Matthew Jones picked up two wickets each for the winners.
Meanwhile, the match between Leeward Islands and Jamaica at Wales Recreation Ground was abandoned without a ball bowled due to a wet outfield caused by overnight rain.