Barbados and Jamaica enter Under-19 finals

Barbados and Jamaica are into the finals of the West Indies Under-19 tournament but not without controversy. Confusion initially reigned over who would contest the final of the limited-overs series after both semi-finals were wrecked by torrential rain and strong winds in St Kitts.

Guyana's team management said that on the basis of the tournament's playing conditions, they had qualified for the final because of their No. 1 seeding from the preceding three-day tournament.

Barbados, meanwhile, assumed they too had missed out on a spot in the final, based on the playing conditions laid down for the tournament. However, Derek Nicholas, the West Indies Cricket Board's operations officer, revealed that Barbados and Jamaica would contest the final, based on standings after the three-round preliminary campaign.

Barbados finished top of the standings with ten points while Jamaica and Leeward Islands were joint second on eight. Guyana were fourth with six points.

Jamaica, sent in by the Leewards in overcast conditions at Cayon, had reached 70 for 3 after 21 overs when rain and wind, associated with the passage of Hurricane Dean, swept across the ground bringing a swift end to the contest. With the pitch waterlogged along with most of the outfield, umpires Cornelius Sam and Rudolph Wattley had no choice but to call off play.

Before the abandonment, Shacoya Thomas, unbeaten on 24, and Andre Creary, on 5, were leading a revival after Jamaica had slipped to 53 for 3.

In the second semi-final at Conaree there was even less play in the game between Guyana and Barbados. Sent in by Barbados, Guyana reached 22 for 2 before adverse weather lashed the ground rendering conditions unfit for play. Umpires Steadroy Techeira and Troy Mills made an inspection at 1.15 pm before making their final decision.

Earlier, play began 66 minutes late due to late preparation of the playing area occasioned by extremely windy conditions. Barbados started positively when fast bowler Diego Stuart bowled Chris Pattadin for 4 with the third ball of the match to leave Guyana on 6 for 1. When the rain finally came the pitch was left uncovered as the ground staff, like the players and spectators, rushed to safety indoors as the wind speed increased rapidly.