U-15: Latif delivers another win for Guyana; sets up title showdown with Barbados

By Avenash Ramzan in Antigua in association with Cricket Zone USA, E4 and I&S Trading

Following his 6-34 in the last round against Windward Islands, leg-spinner Reyaz Latif took 4-7 as Guyana defeated Leeward Islands by six wickets in the fourth round of the Cricket West Indies’ Rising Stars Under-15, 50-over Championship at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Doing the initial damage on Easter Monday was seam pair Patricce Fraser and Rafell McKenzie, who combined for five wickets, while Usain Fredericks grabbed the other.

Latif is now the leading wicket-taker in the competition with one round to go, claiming 12 wickets.

The Transport Sports Club player also has the best bowling figures in the tournament.

Two-way battle

Crucially, Guyana gained maximum bonus points, claiming all 10 wickets via fast bowling and wrist spin.

That means Guyana now has 17.4 points, with Barbados in the lead with 21.8.

Trinidad and Tobago (13.4), Jamaica (11.0), Windward Islands (8.2) and Leeward Islands (3.4) complete the table.

Guyana and Barbados face off in the final round on Wednesday in a two-way fight for the title at the Coolidge Cricket Ground from 09:30h.

For context, a win is four points, while every fast bowling/wrist spin wicket is worth 0.2 point.

Clinical win

On Monday, Fraser took 3-21, McKenzie 2-21 and Fredericks 1-26 in an impressive bowling display after Leeward Islands opted to bat first.

The islanders benefitted from 27 extras, with skipper J’Quan Athanaze (14) the only batsman into double figures.

Chasing a small target of 78, Guyana knocked off the runs in 25 overs to record a second consecutive win and third in four matches to remain second behind unbeaten Barbados.

Arif Bacchus of Cotton Tree Cricket Club topscored with 23 off 67 (2x4s), opener Justin Dowlin of Royal Strikers Sports Club of Essequibo made 21 off 45 (3x4s) and Nathaniel Ramsammy of Albion anchored the chase with an unbeaten 15 off 22 (1×4).

In the other fourth round matches on Monday, Barbados defeated the Windward Islands by 140 runs at the Antigua Recreation Ground and Trinidad and Tobago got the better of Jamaica by four wickets at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Below are the summarised scores from those games

At the Antigua Recreation Ground: Barbados defeated the Windward Island by 140 runs

 SUMMARY: Barbados 248 all out from 48.1 overs (Kelani Clarke 100, Rajeev Parsooram 34, Asher Branford 33*; Jershaun Joseph 4-53, Delroy Tittle 2-31) vs Windward Islands 108 all out from 35.3 overs (Jershaun Joseph 26; Justin Parris 3-29, Zarell Hardin 2-6)

At the Coolidge Cricket Ground: Trinidad and Tobago defeated Jamaica by four wickets

 SUMMARY: Jamaica 132 all out from 43.1 overs (Rajae McGeachy 63; Zion Phillip 3-14, Samuel Stewart 3-17) vs Trinidad and Tobago 134-6 from 40.3 overs (Zion Phillip 61*; Alixandre Elliott 2-7, Wayne Plummer 2-36)