Reigning WICB Under-19 champs Guyana put up the most pathetic batting display in their first innings of their second round encounter against Leeward Islands. They were blown away for a paltry 42 and although they put up a gutsy display in the second, their efforts were not enough to stave off defeat by six wickets at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in Kingstown, Grenada.
In less than two days, Leewards have surprised everyone and moved ahead atop the standings with two consecutive victories after they had registered a sensational come-from-behind win over Windward Islands in their first round clash.
Scores: Guyana 42 (14.1 overs) and 162 (56.1 overs), Leewards 153 (65.5 overs) and 57 for 4 (22.2 overs).
For any team to be bowled out for a scoreline just above 100 runs is considered a failure but to be demolished for 42 in just 14.1 overs is totally unacceptable and is considered an undisciplined batting display by a team that comprises so many players who tasted success for the two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015 when Guyana celebrated as WICB Regional Under-19 back-to-back champions.
At the close of play on the first day, Leewards were 132 for the loss of seven wickets and had already established a lead of 90 runs which helped them to maintain the upper hand despite Guyana’s valiant fightback in the second innings.
Leewards closed their first innings at 153 in 65.5 overs yesterday with Camron Pennyfeather 48, Ross Powell 26, Tyrone Williams 17 and Mrinal Wadwha 15 being the main run-getters while Kheshram Seyhodan (19.5-7-32-6), skipper Paul (9-2-26-1) and Akenie Adams (18-5-34-2) and Malcolm Hubbard were Guyana’s successful bowlers.
Guyana lost two early wickets with Raymond Perez and Joshua Persaud dismissed for three (12 balls) and 0 (2 balls) respectively with only nine runs on the board after 4.1 overs.
Sharfane Rutherford carried the fight to the opposition with attacking shots and re-energised the Guyanese team.
He raced to 40 with four massive sixes and three fours off 31 balls before he departed at 61 (14.1 overs). He offered a catch to Javy Benjamin off Daniel Doram who struck a crucial double blow when he outfoxed skipper Keemo Paul with the very next ball and the Guyanese skipper walked away with a golden duck.
At 61 for 4 after 14.2 overs and eleven runs later, opener Ronaldo Renee 20 (2×4, off 65 balls), who had shared a 52-run third-wicket partnership with Rutherford, was caught by Doram off Kofi James who prised out Akenie Adams (1 run, 10 balls) two balls later. Soon the score was 107 for 8 but national Under-17 captain Bhaskar Yadram fought doggedly and found a useful partner in Malcolm Hubbard who played sensibly and they cleared the 111-run deficit and provided some hope for a big recovery.
Together they fashioned a 55-run ninth-wicket stand that pushed the total to 162 when both Hubbard 35 (5×4, off 48 balls) and Yadram 37 (5×4, off 97 balls) were dismissed in quick succession and closed the innings after 56.1 overs.
Leewards lost three wickets for 17 runs but Kofi James 22 not out (2×6, and 1×4 off 58 balls) piloted them home to a comfortable six-wicket victory with more than a day and an hour to spare.
It was the most embarrassing defeat for Guyana against Leewards who will now fancy their chances to win the Regional Under-19 crown with the two victories secured in the first two rounds and only one more round to play before the start of the 50-overs tournament.
Paul (4-3-3-1), Rutherford (3-0-6-1) and Seyhodan (8-2-23-1) shared the Leewards’ wickets.
(Taken from Guyana Chronicle)