West Indies: Nortel Championship - Rains have first say (9 Jul 1998)

9 July 1998

Rains have first say in NorTel

By Garth Wattley

THE rain came, but it did not go away. And sadly for the players of hosts Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands, defending champions Guyana and Jamaica, there was nothing ventured and absolutely nothing gained on the opening day of the 1998 Nortel West Indies Under-19 championships.

The heavy rains that thundered down on south and central Trinidad yesterday, put paid to any chance of play in the two competition matches. At the Inshan Ali Park in Preysal, not a drop of rain was needed to rule out play before lunch.

A soggy outfield which left several soft spots on the sodden ground ruined the whole first session. And with more rain coming down during the official interval, umpires Terrence Birbal and Enite Ali called off play for the day.

The situation was the same in Chaguanas where the official opening ceremony was held. No other meaningful activity was possible at the Presentation College ground before umpires Zainool Maccum and Basant Sahadeo put the players out of their misery early.

All four teams will be hoping for some kind of start today. But the likelihood of a prompt start is not great.

The news was better for the teams playing in Tobago where the first five-wicket haul of the tournament was recorded.

Barbados, playing against the guest team from Canada, reached 196 for 9 at the close of the first day at Shaw Park.

Although showers also interrupted proceedings there, the Barbadians got close to 200 thanks in the main to opener Corey Yearwood. His 38, which contained seven boundaries, came off 68 balls in 67 minutes.

However, the star turn was delivered by left-arm spinner Kevin Sandher, who bagged five for 51 to restrict the Barbadian batsmen. Off-spinner Ashkay Bagai picked up two for 41 with Shoruti Singh and Jason Patraj getting one wicket apiece.

However, the Bajans will be disappointed that their players did not make better use of reasonable starts. Apart from Yearwood, four of them got into the twenties.

West Indies youth player Marlon Graham and Ryan Hinds each got 29, Jason Haynes 27 and Corey Glasgow 23.

The three-day match carries no points.

Up at Roxborough, the Leeward Islands closed the first day on 110 for 8 against the NorTel Development XI, Leewards senior player Sylvester Joseph getting 33.

At Shaw Park: Barbados 196 for 9 (C.Yearwood 38, M.Graham 29, R.Hinds 29, J.Haynes 27 C.Glasgow 23; K.Sandher 5-51, A.Baghai 2-41) v Canada

At Roxborough: Leeward Islands 110 for 8 (Sylvester Joseph 33, Shane Jeffers 19; Kurt Wilkinson 3-17, Kevin Hanley 3-25) v NorTel Development XI.

At Inshan Ali Park: Trinidad & Tobago v Windwards Day's play called off because of rain.

At Presentation College: Guyana v Jamaica Day's play called off because of rain.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)