The Inshan Ali Limited Overs Trophy already had Barbados’ name stamped on it.
Hasani Newton ensured it got engraved instead.
Newton hit an unbeaten half-century to lead Barbados’ 13-and-under cricket team to a commanding six-wicket victory over their Trinidadian counterparts, to register a 2-0 series win, while retaining the trophy.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the visitors compiled their highest total of the three-match series, ending on 135 for eight after their allotted 40 overs.
But led by a match-winning knock of 79 from Newton, Barbados easily surpassed the target, needing just 29 overs to do so, as they raced to 138 for the loss of four wickets.
After scores of 76, and 90 in their first two matches, Trinidad and Tobago would have been confident with the total, which they would have felt was defendable.
And when opener Tremaine Harris was out lbw to Saiba Battoosingh for just one with the score on seven, the Trinidadians would have sensed an opportunity for their first victory on tour, after having lost the first and being saved from defeat in their rained out second encounter.
But Newton’s arrival to the crease quickly erased those thoughts, as together with Limar Pierce, they put on 59 runs for the second wicket to help guide Barbados to safety.
However, the introduction of fast bowler David Mendoza garnered immediate success, as he had Pierce caught at midwicket for 24 by Cavan Byrne in the 19th over to leave the score on 66 for two.
From thereon, it became the Newton show.
He greeted Byrne with a scintillating drive for four which bisected the fielders at mid-off and cover, before pulling the next ball behind square for another boundary to move to 43, and the score to 79 for 2.
As Newton tried to clear the long on boundary, Daniel Williams spilled an easy opportunity, allowing the ball to slip through his hands and race past the boundary ropes.
Two balls later Newton would reach his landmark, the first of the series by any batsman, cutting the unlucky Byrne through point for three runs, to a standing ovation from the small crown as Barbados pushed the score to 91.
Byrne would reap success with his very next delivery, though, deceiving Tashawn Boyce with a well flighted delivery and having him stumped by keeper’ Kegan Simmons.
Newton’s onslaught would continue, however, and another four through midwicket was followed by a ferocious pull over midwicket as Barbados inched closer to victory.
He would fittingly end the contest in grand style, pulling Kieron Simmons over midwicket for a massive six, leaving some onlookers scampering for safety.
Â
