By Brij Parasnath in Trinidad and Tobago

TRINIDAD and Tobago crushed Jamaica by eight wickets at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva and maintained their winning ways in the West Indies Cricket Board Under-17 50-overs-a-side tournament second-round match yesterday. Talented all-rounder Navin Bidaisee emerged as Player-of-the-Match with a brilliant all-round performance of 67 runs plus five wickets for 19 runs that sealed Trinidad and Tobago’s comprehensive victory, made it two out of two matches and took them on the path to regain the regional Under-17 crown.
Jamaica batted first and were restricted to 153 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. Dorell Thomas 35, Andre McCarthy 30 and Dominic Samuels 51 were the main scorers while Bidaisee who was the eighth bowler used by skipper Kirstan Kallicharan; finished as the chief wicket-taker with an analysis of 8-0-19-5. Brandon Singh (3-0-11-1), Justyn Gangoo (8-0-1-20-1) and Nathaniel McDavid (9-2-19-2) shared the other wickets.
Bidaisee put his stamp on the match with a sterling contribution with the bat and featured in two significant partnerships that allowed the Trinidadian to keep alive their chances of lifting the trophy once again, having won it in 2013.
The left-hander topscored with 67 that contained three fours off 94 balls and together with Leonardo Francis (31 off 83 balls) posted 85 for the first wicket stand. Bidaisee and Cephas Cooper who dominated the second-wicket partnership; added a further 55 for the second wicket and the 140 for 2 after 36.2 overs.
Cooper slammed four fours off 49 balls and was undefeated on 34 to follow up on the match-winning 57 he recorded against Windward Islands in the opening round at Gilbert Park on Monday. Kallicharran (7 n.o.) was together with Cooper when Trinidad and Tobago triumphed with 11.4 overs remaining.
Defending champions Windward Islands defeated Leeward Islands by 42 runs at Gilbert Park, California, Couva.
Batting first, Windwards amassed 164 all out in 44.5 overs with Dave Edward 31, Johann Jerimah 46 and skipper Johnel Eugene 39 being the successful batsmen. Jerrellious Louis and Uri Smith claimed four for 21 and three for 29 respectively.
Leewards were bowled out for 122 in 32.5 overs with Louis 46 and Elroy Francis Jr 29 being the main scorers. Jerimah won the Player-of-the-Match award with his topscore of 46 and five wickets for 35 runs. Eugene picked up three wickets for 28 runs.
The tournament continues tomorrow with three third-round matches.