Nortel Final: Jamaica v Barbados

By Forbes Persaud

30 July 1998


Rain once again postponed a result in the NorTel West Indies Under-19 final between Jamaica and Barbados at the Queen's Park Oval yesterday. But at Gilbert Park, the showers could not prevent Trinidad and Tobago from sealing third place in their match against the Leewards. At the Oval it was just approximately 1.30 p.m. when a heavy downpour forced the players off the field with Jamaica on 119 for 6 after 42 of the 45 overs.

Two hours later, umpires Zainool Macuum and Terrance Birbal made a final inspection of the field and ruled that no further play was possible because of the heavy outfield. Given an option to continue the match, both mangers protested, insisting that the title should be shared according to the rules of the competition.

Chris Dehring, Chief Marketing Executive of the WICB, intervened and requested from the officials that the game be continued today. That request was denied. However, once it was made clear that that it was a WICB directive that play will continue today, the officials reluctantly accepted.

When play began yesterday, Jamaica won the toss and elected to bat. They got off to a disastrous start, losing lost their first wicket with only six runs on the board, Rayon Smith being caught by Antonio Mayers in the slip for 1.

Together at the crease, two of Jamaica's most prolific scorers in the series, Christopher Gayle and captain Ricardo Powell, batted with a lot of confidence to take the score to 44 before Powell had to retire hurt after complaining of feeling unwell. Two runs later Gayle (19) departed, skying a ball to backward square-leg.

The Jamaicans then became bogged down against some tight Bajan bowling and good fielding. At 91 for 5 after 37 overs, Powell resumed his innings and immediately went on the attack, hitting Benn through midwicket for four. His partner Keith Hibbert was the only batsman to look at ease against the bowlers and he and the skipper added 20 off four overs for the sixth wicket before Powell was run out for 33. When play was called off, Hibbert was unbeaten on 31, including three fours.


Source: The Express (Trinidad)

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Date-stamped : 31 Jul1998 - 22:18