Francis’ century guides Leewards past Jamaica

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Leeward Islands captain Tanez Francis scored a superb century to lift his side to a nail biting one-wicket win over Jamaica via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern (DLS) method in round two of the CWI Rising Stars Under-17 Men's 50-over Championship here yesterday.

On a day that saw all three matches affected by rain, Barbados and Trinidad registered convincing DLS victories over Guyana and the Windward Islands, respectively.

At the National Cricket Centre: Francis cracked a century at the top of the order, the first of this year's competition, to lead the Leeward Islands to an exciting one-wicket victory over Jamaica.

In a match that was reduced to 35 overs per side, Jamaica posted 186 for eight after being sent in to bat.

Demarco Scott led the way with a knock of 57 from 53 balls, with six fours and one six, while Odane Binns hit 39 off 32 balls.

The two shared a partnership of 79 for the fourth wicket that helped Jamaica rebuild their innings after sliding to 67 for three.

Kasim Challenger (3-31) and Kunal Tilokani (2-19) were the best bowlers for the Leeward Islands.

Francis then played a captain's knock, blasting 110 from just 94 balls, inclusive of five fours and four sixes, to put his side in prime position to coast to a comfortable win after being set a revised total of 197.

However, from a comfortable position of 174 for two in the 29th over, the Leeward Islands collapsed to 193 for eight in the 33rd over.

After losing Kasim Challenger with the scores tied, the last wicket pair of Jathan Edward and T'sharvier Pemberton carried them over the line with an over to spare.

Adrian Silvera bagged 5-26 while Ryan Littleton took 2-44 in a losing cause for Jamaica.

At Inshan Ali Park: Barbados produced a strong bowling effort on their way to strolling to a seven-wicket victory over Guyana.

Justin Parris took three wickets and Raphael Lovell and Asher Branford snared two wickets apiece to rout their opponents for a paltry 105 in 27.5 overs.

Parmeshwar Ram scored 24, while Shamar Apple made 23, but they were the only two batters to score more than 20 in a disappointing batting display by Guyana.

Barbados lost both of their openers cheaply, but captain Gadson Bowens batted sensibly in his match-winning unbeaten knock of 50 from 46 balls, with three fours and two sixes, as Barbados cruised to 108 for three in 20 overs.

Guyana did themselves no favours by conceding 24 extras, the second highest contributor to Barbados' total.

At Gilbert Park: A sensational spell of bowling from Trinidad and Tobago's left-arm pacer Daron Dhanraj condemned table leaders Windward Islands to a comprehensive five-wicket defeat.

Dhanraj ran through the Windwards' batters on his way to finishing with the spectacular figures of 7-22, to dismiss them for 125 in 42.4 of their allotted 44 overs.

Only Johnathan Daniel (34) and Tyler Venner, who made 31, offered any resistance against the home side.

T&T were then buoyed by a half-century opening stand by Christian Lall (44) and Saleem Khan (23), and they easily overhauled their target, finishing on 130 for five in 27.4 overs.

Roberto Badree scored an unbeaten 24 to lead T&T to their first win of the tournament.