Windwards sail into Red Stripe Bowl semis: Tuesday roundup

The Windward Islands qualified for the Red Stripe Bowl semi-finals at the last minute following a big win over the Cayman Islands in the final Zone 'B' group game on Tuesday. The size of the victory saw them dislodge Guyana from a semi-final berth on net run-rate. The Leeward Islands are the other Zone 'B' qualifier, all three finishing on six points from four matches.

With Zone 'A' already settled before Tuesday's final two matches, Jamaica easily disposed of Canada while Trinidad & Tobago annihilated the United States, who the previous day had upset semi-finalists Barbados.

The Windward Islands will meet Barbados in the first semi-final on Friday, with Jamaica playing the Leeward Islands on Saturday. The final will be held on Sunday, all matches at Sabina Park, Kingston.

The Caymans came away empty-handed from a tournament which will have been a crucial learning experience for the future. Wickets were shared all around as the Caymans, batting first, were dismissed for 103 in 43.1 overs. The Windwards recovered from 36 for 3 to win the match with six wickets and 26 overs in hand. Romel Currency remained unbeaten on 42 along with Roy Marshall (22*).

Canada lost their final game of the series to Jamaica by 91 runs, but they can feel please with a tournament which saw them defeat the United States and show some good form as they prepare for next July's ICC Trophy. Jamaican openers Brenton Parchment (52) and Keith Hibbert (93*) made an opening stand of 92 as their side proceeded to make 226 all out in their fifty overs. The Jamaicans suffered a late collapse, losing eight wickets for 69 runs, the destroyer being Canadian paceman Davis Joseph, who took 6/39 from his ten overs. Jimmy Adams made 25 and Wavell Hinds, also named yesterday for the Australian tour, made 1.

Three run-outs did not help the Canadian cause as they slumped to be 135 all out from 46.3 overs. Captain Joseph Harris (31) was the top score with Jamaican spinners Ryan Cunningham (3/24) and Nehemiah Perry (2/25) the pick of the innings.

No mercy was shown at Chedwin Park yesterday. Marlon Black celebrated his selection in the Australian touring party by taking 4/14 from his ten overs as the US crashed to 62 all out in 35.2 overs. Mervyn Dillon (2/14 from six overs), Rodney Sooklal (2/8 from 6.2) and Dinanath Ramnarine (1/18 from eight) were the other wicket-takers for T&T.

The Trinis wasted no time in chasing up the 63 runs needed for victory. Just 5.1 overs was all it took, thanks mainly to some hard-hitting from Lincoln Roberts (34*) and Andy Jackson (24).

Team USA return home with Monday's shock win against Barbados under their belts, but their overall form in this tournament suggests that their prospects of filling one of the three places still open for the 2003 World Cup are very distant indeed.