Guyana stage comeback win, Jamaica draw with Leewards

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC):

A DEVASTATING spell from left-arm spinner Aryan Persaud bowled Guyana to a stunning, come-from-behind, 189-run win against hosts Windward Islands in the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 Three-Day Championship yesterday in St Vincent.

Consistent batting down the order led by a half-century from opener Adrian Weir enabled Jamaica to draw with defending champions Leeward Islands on the final day of the second round of matches.

At Arnos Vale, Persaud returned flattering figures of seven for six from 10.5 overs and the Guyanese bowled out the Windwards for 59 in their second innings after setting them 249 to win.

Jonathan Rampersaud supported with three for 28 off from 11 overs, and no Windwards batsman was able to reach 20.

Guyana had conceded a 17-run lead after a low-scoring first innings, but they recovered in the second innings and declared on 265 for nine with Zeynul Ramsammy finishing on 59 not out, after the started the day on 229 for six.

Off-spinner Tarrique Edwards was again the pick of the Windwards bowlers, taking six for 93 from 34 overs to finish with match figures of 11 for 97.

At Cumberland, Weir struck three fours and two sixes in 60 off 92 balls and set the tone for the rest of the batsmen, and the Jamaicans batted through most of the day before they were dismissed for 267 in their second innings, leaving no time for a chase for the Leewards.

Jordan Johnson supported with 41, Justin Beckford score 39, Reon Edwards made 32, Brian Barnes got 29 and Trevaun Williams added 24 to prop up the Jamaica batting.

Wilden Cornwall Jr, son of former Leewards and West Indies all-rounder, was the most successful Leewards bowler taking three for 36 from 16 overs, while Chamiqueko Landerford and Michael Palmer collected two wickets apiece.

In the next round of matches: Jamaica face Barbados at Arnos Vale, Leewards meet Guyana at Sion Hill, and Windwards play Trinidad and Tobago at Park Hill.