TCL Group Regional Under-19 Cricket Challenge
Round 4 Day 1
July 22, 2009

T&T takes command against Leewards

T&T pint-sized leg-spinner Kissoondath Magram, bagged his first five-wicket-haul in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Series, to lead his team challenge against the Leeward Islands at Chedwin Park in Spanish Town, yesterday. On the opening day of the crucial Round Four fixture, the 16-year-old Magram in tandem with the tournament’s leading wickettaker, Yannic Cariah undermined the Leeward’s fragile batting, to help dismiss the opposition for a modest 174 in 69 overs.

Left with 19 overs batting, T&T were in a spot of bother on 54 for two. Nicholas Alexis is not out on 20 and Cariah unbeaten on 16.

Lelson Bolan is Leewards’ top bowler with two for 16.

Debutant Amir Khan (0) failed to impress and was bowled by Boland without scoring.

While the tall-scoring Evin Lewis was caught by wicketkeeper Jamar Hamilton for six off Bolan, to push T&T on the ropes on 21 for two.

But determined batting from Alexis and Cariah saw T&T safely through to the end without any further loss.

In his first full Under-19 tournament, Magram picked up five for 43 off 20 overs, while Cariah grabbed three for 51 from 19 overs.

Only Yannick Leonard with 35 and Bolan 32 offered resistance to the T&T bowling attack.

Earlier, the Leewards who are in joint second position with hosts Jamaica, won the toss and opted for first knock against the title-chasing leaders T&T.

T&T made two changes to the team that played in the first three matches of the three-day league championship, with Aaron Alfred replacing the injured Rixon Maniran behind the stumps, while Khan was awarded his first Regional Under-19 cap at the expense of the out-of-form Marc Panchu.

The Leewards started cautiously against the T&T pace attack, with openers Tashmil Mills and Kejel Tyson posting 21 for the first wicket, before the former departed caught at the wicket by Alfred off Akiel Cooper for 12.

Tyson was next to go caught by Cariah off Magram for 22 with the score on 54.

The Leewards were to lost another wicket before the lunch break, when Akeem Fox (4) was leg before wicket to Cariah which left them on 63 for three at the interval.

On the resumption, the T&T spinners Magram annd Cariah made inroads into the middle and lower-order batting, as Leewards went to tea on 146 for eight, including the scalp of Leonard who laboured for 201 minutes for his 35, which contained one four.

After the tea interval, the Leewards innings folded with Bolan swinging his bat for 32 which included six fours.

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