KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Defending champions Barbados were undermined by inept batting and crashed to a 10-wicket defeat to Jamaica yesterday, handing the hosts the 2009 TCL Group West Indies Three-day Cup Under-19 title.
In a game in which they were always in control, Jamaica were set a mere three runs for victory and they required a single delivery to formalize the result at Kensington Park.
Barbados, who resumed the day at 189 for seven still needing a further 78 runs to avoid the follow on, were dismissed for 284 despite a fighting century from captain Jason Holder who stroked 103.
Following on 152 runs behind, Barbados collapsed meekly for 154 in their second innings and with Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana drawing at Elletson Road, Jamaica grabbed the crucial 12 points to top the standings.
Resuming from their rocky overnight position, Barbados started positively with Holder, unbeaten on 51 not out, carrying on from where he left off the previous day. He, along with overnight partner Marques Clarke, extended their eighth wicket partnership to 122 before Holder was bowled by occasional off-spinner Jermaine Blackwood.
Seemingly a little over-confident after reaching a chanceless century, he was dropped on 101 and was then bowled attempting a big drive. Holder occupied the crease for 221 minutes, faced 185 balls and struck 11 fours and one six.
Barbados were then 277 for eight and lost Jomel Warrican without scoring, as the innings folded quickly.
Clarke, who batted extremely well in the circumstances, eventually held out to Blackwood off left-arm spinner John Campbell for a well-played 45. He hit three fours and two sixes off 105 balls in 152 minutes at the crease.
Left-arm spinner Patrick Harty led Jamaica with five for 77 and was supported by Blackwood who took two for 28.
Following on, Barbados staged a dismal batting display and only Kyle Mayers, who top-scored with 34, and Raymond Reifer, with 28, showed any resistance.
Leg-spinner Akeem Dewar did the damage for Jamaica with four for 27, while Campbell finished with three for 41 and Blackwood, two for 50.
Anthony Alleyne was the first to go, caught close in by Campbell off Dewar for three with the score on 10 and Roston Chase followed soon afterward for 15, caught by Brian Clarke at slip off Campbell with Barbados having reached 34.
Usually reliable opener Kraigg Brathwaite played an uncharacteristic, injudicious shot to be caught at mid-wicket off Campbell for 20 and Barbados never recovered as wickets tumbled steadily.
Mayers and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (19) added 26 for the seventh wicket, the most productive partnership of the innings, before Mayers was caught at slip by Palmer to end the resistance.
