Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Barbados batsman Ricardo Manning slautes the crowd after reaching his half century yesterday against Jamaica at Melbourne. Manning went on to make 91, but Barbados lost to the hosts by five wickets. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

JAMAICA COMPLETED their successful West Indies blind cricket tournament campaign with an impressive five-wicket win over Barbados at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

In the final match of the three-team tournament, Jamaica defeated Barbados by five-wickets to finish unbeaten and take the trophy with 16 points.

Barbados finished with four while Trinidad and Tobago finished without a point.

Replying to Barbados’ 270 for six off their allotted 40 overs, Jamaica strolled to 271 for five.

Ricardo Manning, who stroked 91 – which included four fours, and Tremaine Forte, with 68, provided the backbone of Barbados’ innings with an 187-run third-wicket stand. Jason Ricketts with 3-43 was the top bowler for Jamaica.

In reply, Jamaica lost Denroy Shim, 22, and Damion McLean, six, at 37, but Iroy Johnson, 107 not out, and Caneen Graham, 52, kept Barbados from an unlikely victory with a 141-run third-wicket stand.

Vice-captain pleased

Vice-captain McLean was pleased with the team’s effort while highlighting an unbeaten record over two years which saw them win nine straight matches.

“What we have seen today is victory for blind cricket,” McLean said.

“Once again Jamaica demonstrated what it takes to win,” he said while saying more people will now come out and support blind cricket.

At the brief presentation ceremony, McLean was the tournament’s top B1 batsman, while Ricardo Manning of Barbados (200 runs) and Tussaine Gardener (473) took the B2 and B3 prizes. Jason Ricketts of Jamaica was the top B1 bowler while Johnson was the best B3 bowler.