Trinidad and Tobago's under-19 cricketers will hope for better fortune, good weather and better playing conditions when they start their campaign in the 50-over leg of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 Championships against Leeward Islands from 9.30 am at Sion Hill Playing Field in St Vincent on July 23.
On July 21 in Cumberland, TT’s stop-start campaign in the two-day leg of the under-19 tourney came to an end in the fifth-place playoff when they lost out on first innings to Guyana to finish at the foot of the six-team table.
Batting first, Guyana made a respectable 249, with both Rampertab Ramnauth (79) and Andrew Lim (53) hitting half-centuries. On day two of the contest, TT were bowled out for a paltry 90, with Fareez Ali (44 not out) being the lone batsman to put up resistance. Golcharran Chulai led the Guyanese surge with figures of six for 15.
TT got to 71 for five in their second turn at the crease before stumps were called on day two, with Joshua Davis ending unbeaten on 23.
With each of their three group stages matches against Jamaica, Windward Islands and eventual champs Barbados being affected by a combination of rain and unsuitable outfield conditions, TT manager Kerwin John hopes the team can put their current misfortunes aside to give an excellent showing in the 50-over format. Unfortunately for TT, no play was possible in their final group game against Windward Islands at Park Hill Playing Field in Colonarie from July 17-18, as soggy outfield conditions saw the players restricted to their dressing homes despite sunny overhead skies.
Coming up against a Leewards team that features West Indies under-19 wicket-keeper/batsman Jewel Andrew, TT will hope to hit the ground running in the shorter format.
“The mood would have been down among management and the players. We as management would not have had a choice in terms of trying to put up a brave face and not have the players slumping. They’re only human,” John told Newsday.
“The players will have to pick themselves up. We’ve already had a conversation with them about that. And go now and play for badmind,” John said. “It’s not like they were playing badly...we just got the worst part of the weather and the worst outfield to play on.”
Although TT didn’t play Leewards in the first leg of the tournament, which was reduced to a two-day format due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl earlier this month, John said the team is wary of Leewards’ threat with ball in hand.
“It’s difficult to come here and be disappointing in the two formats so we need to try our best and shake that off and give a good showing starting tomorrow.”
Barbados ascended to the two-day title after getting first-innings honours against outgoing champs Jamaica at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. Barbados posted a respectable 200 for nine declared in their first innings, before reducing Jamaica to 127 for eight in the opposition’s first turn at the crease. To drive home their advantage in the contest, Barbados then got to 172 for two in their second in
