Rising Stars Men’s U19: It’s a USA, Barbados final
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):
USA-1 and defending champions Barbados will meet to determine the champions of this year's Rising Stars Under-19 Men's 50-over Championship following the completion of the seventh and final preliminary round yesterday.
USA-1 defeated Windward Islands to end the preliminary rounds unbeaten, while second-placed Barbados recorded an easy victory over USA-2.
The two will now meet in the Thursday's final, which will be held at the Conaree Sports Club.
Meanwhile, Jamaica were also in winners' row, while the contest between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago ended in a no-result.
At Conaree Sports Club: USA-1 predictably won their seventh straight match with a comfortable four wicket victory over the Windward Islands.
Earsinho Fontaine, who made 45, and Theo Edward, who was dismissed for 43, both fell just short of half centuries as the Windward Islands were dismissed for 209 in 49.3 overs.
Offspinner Utkarsh Srivastava took 3-19 and he was ably supported by Sahir Bhatia (2-28), Shiv Shani (2-37) and Advaith Krishna (2-37).
In their turn at the crease, USA-1 overcome some nervous moments before overhauling their target to finish on 213-6 in 44.2 overs.
Opener Amrinder Gill scored 57, but USA-1 found themselves 127 for five at one stage, until Nitish Sudini (43 not out) and Shiv Shani (27 not out), guided them to safety.
For the Windwards, Cody Fontenelle took 3-55, while Devonte McDowall grabbed 2-27.
At St Paul's Sports Complex: Jamaica edged the Leeward Islands by one wicket in a thrilling encounter.
The Leeward Islands would have been disappointed to only get up to 149 in 36 overs after being sent in to bat.
De-Antre Drew topscored with 24 and was the only batsmen to make it past 20, as Roshawn McKenzie (2-11), Rhevon Morgan (2-18) and Tamarie Redwood (2-46), all took two wickets.
Tyriek Bryan then scored 41 and David Dewar made 39 and Jamaica seemed to be coasting to victory at 125 for four until they shockingly lost five wickets for 19 runs to slump to 143 for nine.
However, the last wicket pair of Redwood and McKenzie saw their team over the line in a tense finish.
Micah McKenzie took 4-35 while Amoree Jones supported with 3-25 for the Leeward Islands.
At St Mary's Park: Barbados totally dominated USA-2 on their way to an easy 92-run win that saw them finish second behind USA-1.
Zachary Carter hit the topscore of 79 from 74 balls and captain Joshua Dorne scored 51, as the defending champs posted 248-9 in their 50 overs.
Ritvik Appidi snared 4-61, while Adit Kappa took 2-43 for USA-2.
Opener Ansh Bhoje then struck 56 from 94 balls and Amogh Arepally made 25, but they received little support from the other batters to be eventually dismissed for 153 in 38 overs.
Pacer R'Jai Gittens took 3-31, while Carter returned to grab 2-13 with his left-arm spin.