Barbados, Windwards win U17 openers

SCARBOROUGH, Tobago – Barbados and Windward Islands kicked off the Regional Under-17 Tournament with tense victories on Tuesday here.

The Barbadians topped defending champions Trinidad & Tobago by two wickets, as Ryan John and Emmanuel Stewart steered Windwards out of trouble to defeat Guyana by three wickets in the opening round of matches.

Due to logistical challenges with luggage for Leeward Islands and flight plans for Jamaica, the schedule of the Tournament was revised and opened with the two matches.

At Louid D’Or: Barbados cruised to their victory of 215 with 12 balls remaining, after bowling out the home team for 214 in 47.2.

There were no big individual totals for the Barbadians, but four batsmen – captain Leniko Boucher, his opening partner Dikembe Wilson, Nicholas Kirton and Yvan Grant – all made 28.

The main bowlers for T&T were Nathaniel McDavid, Dejourn Charles and Kirstan Kallicharan. They all grabbed two wickets.

Earlier, the T&T innings was built on a solid 86-run, fourth-wicket stand between Kallicharan and Sachin Seecharan. They scored 55 and 41 respectively.

Kallicharan also starred in a crucial third wicket stand of 41 with Charles, who scored 29.

Dominic Drakes 3-45 and Nicholas Kirton 2-32 were the main destroyers for the victorious Barbadians.

At Bon Accord: John top scored with 48 not out and Stewart made 40 before he was run out to set Windwards on course for victory following a shaky start, replying to Guyana’s 157 for nine in 47 overs.

Stewart led the effort to repair the innings after the Windwards lost opener and vice captain Christian Charlery with 15 runs on the board.

Stewart put on 35 for the second wicket with fellow Grenadian Anil Matthew, who was lbw for 19, and then added 38 for the fifth wicket with John, another Grenadian, to help put his side on track.

Windwards coasted to victory at 159 for seven in 44 overs to secure an opening win in the tournament.

Richie Looknauth was the top Guyanese bowler, taking three wickets for 25 runs.

Guyana captain Travis Persaud had hit a top score of 40 to help rescue his side’s innings which tottered at 41 for five.

Vice captain Ronaldo Ali Mohamed chipped in with 33 and Sherfane Rutherford added 37, as the Guyanese rallied against the bowling of John, Brian Joseph and Alick Athanaze, who each picked up two wickets.

Wednesday will be a rest day in the tournament, allowing organisers to revise the match schedule for the remainder of the week.