The members of the West Indies Rising Stars U19s High Performance camp had another close contest as they continued preparation for the ICC U19 World Cup. The camp entered the second week with the second intra-squad match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, on Monday.
Fast bowlers Isai Thorne and Andel Gordon turned in impressive performances. Gordon, a slim left-armer, showed his skill with the old ball and took 3-31 off eight overs as Ackeem Auguste XI were bowled out for 225 in the final over. Thorne, a strongly built right-armer was fired up from with the new ball and claimed 4-47 as Giovonte DePeiza’s XI made 225-8 off 49.3 overs
Jaden Carmichael also turned in a strong allround performance with two wickets and a patient knock of 30 not out off 48 balls, which saw the DePeiza team to victory by two wickets with just three balls left. Carmichael came to the crease with his team in trouble at 156-7 and added a match-winning stand of 69 with Sion Hackett, who made 31 off 39 balls.
Several batsmen made solid starts but failed to register major scores. Justin Beckford played a number of eye-catching strokes in his 51 for the Auguste XI. He hit three fours and a six off 72 balls. Together with wicketkeeper Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (45) he added 81 for the sixth wicket. Just as they repaired most of the damage they were dismissed within 20 runs of each other – Beckford was trapped leg-before wicket to left-arm spinner Carmichael and Bowen-Tuckett was run out by a tremendous flat, hard throw from Anderson Armudan on the cover boundary.
In the second half, Rivaldo Clarke made a classy 51 off 50 balls, which help to rescue the innings from 74-5. Clarke combined with DePeiza to add 80 for the sixth wicket, with the skipper making a watchful 24.
The next warm-up match will be played Thursday at the same venue as they continue preparations for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Cricket West Indies will host the 14th edition of the for the first time ever, as the event which showcases the future stars of the game will see 16 teams travelling to the Caribbean to compete in 48 matches from January 14 to February 5 across four host countries.
The 16 teams competing will see current holders Bangladesh, England, Canada and the United Arab Emirates form Group A, with debutants Uganda placed in Group B alongside India, South Africa and Ireland.
Group C comprises Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea and Group D sees host West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka. Scotland complete the tournament line up in Group D after New Zealand withdrew due to the extensive mandatory quarantine restrictions for minors on their return home.
The four host countries have been confirmed as Antigua, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad with 10 venues hosting matches. The format will see the top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super League while the remaining teams feature in the Plate across 23 days of competition.
-CWI
