Guyana ensured their entry into the semi-finals of the 2002 Busta Cup with a comprehensive innings and 42-run win over Leeward Islands at home. But their opponents, though picking up no points from the encounter, made it to the semi-finals themselves on the strength of their previous performances.

Put in to bat, Guyana, bolstered by the return of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper, notched up a mammoth 442 in their first innings. Lennox Cush and Chanderpaul put on 253 runs for the third wicket, with Cush making 154 and Chanderpaul 140. The partnership formed the foundation of a strong batting performance that included 54 from Neil McGarrell.

Mahendra Nagamootoo, relinquishing his captaincy role to Hooper, continued his fine performance with the ball, taking 6-71 in Leewards' reply. Only Fabian Adams at the top of the order and Runako Morton could even cross 50, and Leewards were bowled out for 237 in 80.2 overs.

Guyana afforded their opponents little respite after enforcing the follow-on. Although Adams made yet another fifty, Leewards were bowled out for 163 in 62.5 overs. Nagamootoo took four more in this innings, but his 10-wicket match-haul was not enough to prevent the Man of the Match award from going to Cush. McGarrell also took four wickets Leewards' second innings.

At Trinidad, the hosts drew their match with Windward Islands, picking up six points to Windwards' three. Batting first, Trinidad & Tobago made 380, a total comprised largely of Dwayne Bravo's 122 and skipper Richard Smith's 72. Windward Islands, however, replied positively, with Junior Murray hitting 105. The visitors conceded a lead of only 40 runs, being bowled out for 340; Dinanath Ramnarine took five wickets for Trinidad & Tobago.

The second innings saw Darren Ganga at the top of the order hit 151 not out, and his opening partner Imran Jan making 94 before being dismissed. Trinidad & Tobago hit up 298/2 in 102 overs before declaring and setting Windwards a target of 339. The visitors were never going to make it, however, and the match wound down to the inevitable draw with Windwards reaching 96 for no loss in 24 overs.

The match, however, gave Trinidad & Tobago the coveted semi-final berth in the Busta Cup, where they will face off against Jamaica. Jamaica won their own match against Bangladesh 'A' by an innings and 60 runs. Batting first, the hosts put up 368, with Wavell Hinds scoring 78, Ricardo Powell 86, and Gareth Breese 72.

For Bangladesh 'A,' Hannan Sarkar at the top of the order hit 55 and Akram Khan a well-made 46, but none of the other batsmen could make any significant score, and the visitors were bowled out for 166 in 70 overs. Following on, they did little better, managing only 142 in 52.2 overs. Darren Powell took 5-27 for Jamaica, earning the Man of the Match award.

Defending champions Barbados do not find themselves in the semi-finals of this edition of the Busta Cup, even though they won their match against West Indies 'B' by an innings and 263 runs. Batting first, Barbados notched up 557 in quick time, three of their batsmen making centuries. Skipper Sherwin Campbell hit 107, Kurt Wilkinson 135, and Ryan Hinds 166. Floyd Reifer's 54 and Courtney Browne's 52 were almost not needed.

Suleiman Benn then took 5-87 in bowling West Indies 'B' out for 193. Following on, they did even worse, bowled out for 101 in 45 overs. T Best took 5-37 in the West Indies 'B' second innings, but the Man of the Match award went to Ryan Hinds for top-scoring in the first innings.

© CricInfo