ST JOHN’S – Barbados’ hopes of achieving a historic third straight title, vanished when they went under to Jamaica by 46 runs in the fourth and penultimate round of the CWI Under-15 Super50 tournament today.
In the encounter at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, needing a challenging 290 to win, Barbados fought bravely but were restricted to 243 for nine from their 50 overs.
Edwin Currency-Barnett and Macaiah Simmons added an encouraging first-wicket stand of 45 in 8.5 overs, before Simmons was run out for 11. Twelve-year-old Currency-Barnett was joined by Joshua Morris and the pair stayed together for 18.4 overs in a second-wicket partnership of 82 runs.
Currency-Barnett was caught off Marlon Williams for a fine knock of 59, including six fours from 96 balls. Barbados suffered a serious blow when Morris 37, (46 balls, 4×3) was run out four balls later with the score still on 127.
When captain Nathan Sealy was out for 13, Barbados still needed 129 runs from the last 15 overs.
Unfortunately all-rounder Rashad Worrell (2) and Kamario Grant (17), on whom they depended, were dismissed four runs apart in successive overs.
This left the low-order with a mammoth task as the required rate mounted and they only got 46 from the last ten overs.
Pacer Reon Edwards claimed two crucial late wickets to end with three for 54.
Earlier, Jamaica opted to bat and scored a healthy 289 for eight from the full 50 overs.
Openers Adrian Weir and Williams put on a solid 55 in 11.4 overs, until medium-pacer Jaden Lorde bowled Williams for 19. In the next over, Weir was caught off Sealy for 29.
Barbados were held up by a match-winning fourth-wicket partnership of 130 in 22.1 overs between captain Jordan Johnson (93) and Steven Wedderburn with 71. Johnson faced 100 balls, striking 11 fours and one six before he was caught behind off Lorde (3-58). Wedderburn’s run-a-ball knock contained two fours and two sixes before he was out in the 47th over.
Fast-bowler Worrell removed Onel Samuels’ first ball but his ten expensive overs cost 87 runs for one wicket.
Dethroned champions Barbados, on 13.1 points, take on Windward Islands in the final round tomorrow at Liberta. Meanwhile, unbeaten Trinidad & Tobago remained on course for a ninth tittle when they edged Windwards by six runs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. They will meet Guyana in the final series at Coolidge. (EDH).
Summarised scores: Jamaica 289-7 in 50 overs (Jordan Johnson 93, Steven Wedderburn 71, Adrian Weir 27, Michael Clarke 23, Marlon Williams 19; Jaden Lorde 3-58). Barbados 243-9 in 50 overs (Edwin Currency-Barnett 59, Joshua Morris 37, Dakio Worrell 21, Isaiah Folkes 19 n.o, Kamario Grant 17, Dave Lovell 13, Macaiah Simmons 11; Reon Edwards 3-54). Jamaica won by 46 runs.
