CWI Under-15 Champs: Jamaica defeat Leewards

Jamaica Under-15 captain Sanjay Walker said he did not feel any pressure while steering Jamaica to a respectable total in the 73-run win over the Leeward Islands in their Cricket West Indies Under-15 Championship opening round clash at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

One of two returning members of the team from last year’s championship, Walker hit a top score 51, as Jamaica, after winning the toss, posted 150 in their first innings.

The Leewards were dismissed for 77 with the Jamaican team’s other returning player, all-rounder Jordan Johnson, leading the way with four for 27.

‘’Our top order batsmen did not give us the kind of start we wanted, and as such I had to stay out there for the team,’’ expressed Walker, who batted at number five.

‘’It, however, never felt like I was under any pressure, as my aim was to bat as long as I could. I then got support from our number eleven batsman, Ricardo Cox, and we were able to get a decent total.’’

Cox made 29 not out, and was one of three Jamaican batsmen to get into double figures. The other was opener Johnson, who made 13.

Left-arm spinner CarlonTuckett, four for 27, was the chief wicket taker for the Leewards. Akadianto Willett took two for 30.

Hilroy Andrew, 16, was the leading scorer for the Leewards.
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"I am very disappointed. We conceded 42 wides, and 49 extras in total, and that is one area that we placed focus on during our training camp,’’ said Steve Liburd, coach of the Leewards.

"But it is our first game, and as such we are not going to be too hard on them. We hope to do better in our next game.’’

Elsewhere, Trinidad and Tobago, defeated defending champions Barbados by five wickets at Sabina Park.

The six-team round-robin championship, which is being played using the 50-overs format, will continue today with another three matches.

Today's games:  Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago at Kensington Park, Barbados vs Windward Islands at Chedwin Park and Guyana vs Leeward Islands at Melbourne Oval.