T&T take narrow lead

FRIENDSHIP, Barbados (CMC):

A solid responsible half-century from opener Jeremy Solozano enabled Trinidad and Tobago to take a narrow first innings lead over defending champions Jamaica in their opening round match of the Regional Under-19 three-day Championship here yesterday.

Resuming the day on 55 without loss, T&T were dismissed for 203 with Solozano hitting a top score of 84.

Off-spinner Oshane Walters was the pick of the Jamaica bowlers, taking five for 49, while Brian Gayle picked up four for 29 to provide admirable support.

At the close on the second day, Jamaica had crept to 18 for one, a lead of two runs heading into today's final day at the Yorkshire Sports Club.

The left-handed Solozano, who resumed on 25, steadied the T&T innings after Jamaica threatened to run through the middle order.

On a day when 113 minutes were lost to several rain interruptions, T&T moved quietly along to 77 before losing Brian Christmas after he added four to his overnight 20.

He was caught behind off pacer James McDonald, driving outside off-stump.

Solozano-gobin combination

Solozano found an able partner in Andy Gobin and they posted a second wicket stand of 62 to see T&T to lunch at 116 for no further loss.

After the interval, Gobin caught and bowled by Walters for 23 after facing 92 balls in 98 minutes at the crease and striking two fours.

In the meantime, Solozano continued to stroke the ball well and brought up his fifty in 140 minutes with seven fours.

After lunch, he continued to play enterprisingly before he was deceived by the wily Walters who had him caught and bowled, driving. His knock including 11 fours, lasted 233 minutes from 187 balls.

After he fell, wickets tumbled steadily as Walters and fellow off-spinner Gayle tore through the lower order. Only captain Vikash Mohan with 23 showed any real resistance against the combined spin attack.

In other matches:

At Bayfield: Guyana lead Leewards by 185 runs overall. GUYANA 202 (Chanderpaul Hemraj 102; Tristan Hanley 6-48, Shevon Moore 2-30, Baker 2-25) 114 for six (Ricardo Adams 42, Shervon Moore 2-29, Tristan Hanley 2-37). LEEWARD ISLANDS 131 (Ashawn Hodge 49, Colin Archibald 40 not out; Gudesh Moti-Kanhai 7-31, Romario Shepherd 2-32).

At Queen's Park: Windwards trail Barbados by 40 runs overall. WINDWARD ISLANDS 206 (Jerlani Robinson 75, Horlice Blair 33, Roland Cato 29; Aaron Jones 4-24, Chad Williams 3-41, Darnell Greenidge 2-29) and 32 for one (Jerlani Robinson 21 not out). BARBADOS 278 for eight decl. (Shai Hope 101, Kemar Brathwaite 51, Darnell Greenidge 28, Jameel Stuart 21; Kenneth Dember 2-43, Larry Edwards 2-53).