Barbados lift Rising Stars U19 title

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC):

BARBADOS WON the West Indies Under-19 Championship yesterday after the two-day final against Jamaica ended in a tame stalemate at the Arnos Vale Stadium.

Resuming the final day with the game evenly poised, Barbados restricted the Jamaicans to 127 for eight declared before batting out the remaining sessions to finish on 172 for two in their second innings and earn their success on first-innings points.

Openers Kyle Jordan (62) and Joshua Morris (52) ensured that there were no twists, the pair striking half-centuries in a 96-run first-wicket stand.

Replying to Barbados’ 200 for nine declared on Saturday’s opening day, Jamaica started the final day full of promise at 72 for two, but the innings folded quickly as the next six wickets tumbled for 39 runs.

Steve Wedderburn failed to add to his overnight 39, wafting at a wide delivery from fast bowler Jatario Prescod (3-51) and edging behind in the first over of the day.

Jamaica suffered yet another blow a few overs later when Wedderburn’s overnight partner, Matthew Morgan, perished after adding five to his 28, bowled through the gate by a beautiful googly from leg-spinner Saurav Worrell (3-24).

Wickets fell steadily thereafter, forcing Jamaica’s declaration before lunch, still 73 runs adrift of Barbados’ first-innings total.

Barbados then flourished. Jordan faced 132 balls and counted three fours and two sixes while Morris struck a half-dozen fours off 95 deliveries to keep Jamaica without any early success.

By the time Morris edged an expansive drive at a wide delivery from leg-spinner Tamarie Redwood late in the day, the result was all but decided, and Joshua Dorne (29 not out) arrived to add 40 for the second wicket with Jordan and a further 36 in an unbroken third-wicket partnership, with Zion Brathwaite (22 not out), to keep Barbados on top.