Young Bajan stars continue to twinkle

You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful setting. You couldn't have asked for a stiffer challenge, and you couldn't have asked for a more wonderful response.

The National Sports Council Under-13 cricketers yesterday turned it on in fantastic fashion, as allrounders Reydon Toppin and Kevin Callender combined to beat the Sussex County Under-15 team.

Playing at the scenic roadside ground of the 230-year-old Henfield Cricket Club on a sun-bathed afternoon, the pair lifted the Bajans from the depth of despair to a thrilling victory which warmed the hearts of the fair-sized crowd.

Toppin, a well-organised right-hander coming in at No. 7, played positively on both sides of the wicket for a topscore of 59 with five fours and two massive sixes over square-leg. The moment of the day came when the shy right-hander eased pacer Max Thornley through the covers to bring up the first half-century of the tour. There was a louder cheer than could be heard when England won the Leeds Test match.

Callender, whose forthright hitting from the word go gained him a runa-ball 41 not out, added 101 for the ninth-wicket with Toppin.

Sussex coach Chris Pickett described as breathtaking the pair's 11 fours and two sixes in the partnership.

"It was true Caribbean-style cricket," Pickett said. "My lads have to thank you for a wonderful exhibition. Earlier, the coach from Surrey called me to ask what are you guys like. Now I can tell him he'd better watch out."

After the batting blitz, Callender, with brisk left-arm medium-pace and Toppin, gaining generous bounce with his seamers, accounted for four Sussex batsmen as the hosts could only muster 57 off 20 overs. Toppin, a Combermerian, took three for four in four overs, while Callender, from Foundation School, had two for seven. Carleon Brome and Kevin McClean, shared three wickets, while three fell by the runout route including, you guessed it a brilliant one-handed pick-up and direct hit by Toppin from point.

What made the win even more special for the Barbadians was the fact that the Sussex players were older and the manner in which the Bajans fought back.

National Sports Coucil chairman Duncan Carter and former West Indies fast bowlers Joel Garner and Milton Small presented the awards after the game.

The Sussex Award went to Joe Gatting, the nephew of former England skipper Mike Gatting, who had four catches behind the wicket.

The win was the fourth on the trot for the Bajans, who remain healthy and in good spirits as they travel to Kent today where they will tackle the county's under-13s at Canterbury.