By Brij Parasnath
THE fourth round match between undefeated Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva,was yesterday abandoned without a ball being bowled because of water-logged conditions on the outfield. It was a major setback for both T&T and Guyana,as they received only one point each from the abandoned fixture, but it allowed them to retain their first and second positions respectively on the overall points table with 14.3 and 14.1 points each.
But Windward Islands bounced back strongly and are still in contention for overall top honours when they whipped Jamaica by eight wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval yesterday.
The race for the overall title has now become an intense three-way battle among front-runners Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Windwards,who are the defending champions.
With their impressive win over Jamaica, Windwards moved to 13.8 points and they will clash with Guyana in the crucial fifth and final round match at the National Cricket Centre from 9.30 hrs today.
Whichever team emerges the winner between Guyana and Windwards could still be crowned champions should Barbados create a major upset against Trinidad and Tobago in their clash at the Queen’s Park Oval.
However, T&T players know that they are at home and must put ontheir best performances to secure victory over Barbados. Only an outright win for the homesters will do the trick and allow the Trinis to lock down the number one spot and give them the opportunity to celebrate another regional under 17 title that they last won in 2013.
Before yesterday’s penultimate round, Trinidad and Tobago held the advantage with 13.3 points compared to Guyana’s 13.1 ,with both teams having registered two wins each and one abandoned fixture. T&T had a bonus of 0.3 with an overall net run rate of 1.178, having scored 325 runs in 89.2 overs and conceded 246 off 100 overs.
On the other hand, Guyana had collected a 0.1 bonus point plus a net run rate of 1.810 having scored 155 runs in 48.1 overs and conceded 107 off 76 overs.
After their washed-out match at the NCC yesterday, both teams were allotted one point each which pushed their overall tally to 14.3 and 14.1 points respectively. T&T remains the leader going into the fifth and final round of the six-team round robin competition.
Jamaica were bowled out for 146 with Johnnel Eugene (4 for 29) and Johann Jerimah (3 for 19) the main destroyers for Windwards who romped to an emphatic eight-wicket victory and kept alive their chances of successfully defending their title. Tijourne Pope (53) and skipper Johnnel Eugene (51 no), shared a match-winning 106-run second wicket partnership that pushed Windwards to 147 for 2.
Eugene, with his 4 for 29 and unbeaten 51, was voted “Player of the Match”.
Barbados secured full points when they whipped Leeward Islands by seven wickets in their low-scoring encounter at Gilbert Park, California. Leewards were bowled out for 75 in 27.3 overs (Elroy Francis jnr 18, Jerrelious Louis 16), while Barbados replied with 76 for 3 off 21 overs (Shian Brathwaite 31 not out). Shakkae Leroy Marshall was Barbados’ chief wicket-taker with five for 17 from six overs and collected the “Player of the Match” award.
In all likelihood, and based on weather pattern and ground drainage facilities, Trinidad and Tobago will fancy their chances of playing a match, even a reduced-overs version, should there be any stoppage at the Oval.
On the other hand, Guyana will be at a disadvantage should the NCC ground experience any downpour that will leave the outfield in an unplayable state.
That will result in an abandoned match and will adversely affect both the Guyanese and Windwards overall points tally. Should such a scenario evolve, T&T will still maintain the overall lead even if their match at the Oval is also abandoned.
Both matches will be closely monitored, and much thrills are expected as three teams hunt regional supremacy.
Leeward Islands and Jamaica will battle it out for minor placings at Gilbert Park, California, Couva.
Today will be the last chance for all players to demonstrate their cricketing prowess and impress the West Indies selectors, who are on the lookout for outstanding performers in this particular age group as they seek to put together a strong West Indies squad to defend the ICC World Under- 19 title they won and celebrated earlier this year.
The next ICC World Under 19 tournament is scheduled for 2018.