This year’s Saint Lucia National Cricket Association/Sandals Under-19 Cricket Tournament got off to an exciting start last weekend at venues across the island.
In an opening round match played at the Gros Islet playing field, last Saturday, the home team- Gros Islet Under-19 opening batters put on a record-breaking century-partnership stand to close out the game versus Central Castries Under -19 for a comprehensive victory.
Jonathan Daniel (113*) and Khan Elcock (66*) chased down the target of 189 without loss, to setup the biggest opening partnership in the junior league.
Taking first knock, Central Castries were bowled out for 188 (39.3 overs) with S Abraham 59 (61) 10×4, 2×6, T Scholar 24 (29) 1×4, 2×6, and A Scholar 24 (18) 2×4. L John with 4/29 (9) and I Jones 4/35 (7) were the main wicket takers.
In reply, Daniel and Elcock hit out aggressively to overhaul the total, firstly, scoring 50 in 5 overs, 100 in 11 overs and by the 15 th- over break had raced to 132/0.
Daniel was especially pugnacious as he whirled and swayed with the strokes that were struck to all parts of the grounds, and in the process demonstrated his powerful six-hitting prowess.
Daniel hit 113* off 76 deliveries with 14×4, 7×6, to carry over his remarkable form from the Inter-Secondary Schools Under-19 Cricket competition, where he hit two centuries.
Khan’s good form in the recent PM’s Cup spilled over into this tournament and he provided able support with a knock of 66* off 48 balls, with 9×4, 2×6.
Summarised scores: C Castries 188 all out (39.3overs); Gros Islet 189 for 0 (20.4overs). G Islet won by 10 wickets.
In other results, last Saturday;
Match # 2 Choiseul 104/10 – Shaquan Mitchel 24 (29), Hervie Paul 20 (23); Renee Jones 4/16 (6), Yulleski Gustave 3/34 (5).
Babonneau 105/2 – Sachin Cepal 56 (45) 10×4, 1×6, Mckoy Brigitte 19 (18) 1×4, 1×6. Babonneau won by 8 wickets.
Match # 3 Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) 236/10 – Cleanus Jules 48 (36) 6×4, 2×6, Kevin Gassie 88 (84) 11×4, 2×6; Cody Fontinelle 3/35 (10), David Naitram 2/7 (2) Kaylan Neptune 2/28 (4).
Mon Repos 78/10 – Azam Augustin 12 (15) 2×4; Zenaki Louie 4/0 (1.1), Clint Dickson 2/17 (4), Kevin Gassie 2/30 (6). SLSA U-19 won by 158 runs.
Sunday –
Gros Islet U-19 – 233 all out (31.4 overs), Mon Repos U19 – 116 all out (26.4 overs). Gros Islet U19 won by 117 runs.
G Islet U19 – K Elcock 33 (29) 6×4, 1×6, I Jones 93 (58) 12×4, 3×6; D Naitram 3/32 (5.4), N Estephane 3/49 (7), A Charles 2/19 (3), S Edward 2/49 (8).
Mon Repos U19 – D Naitram 74 (72) 9×4, 3×6; L John 5/11 (5.4), J Cyril 2/17 (5), B Fanis 2/23 (5).
Babonneau U19 – 48/10 (13.0), SLSA U19 – 49/0 (5.2). SLSA U19 won by 10 wickets.
Babonneau – Sherlon Antoine 10 (15) 2×4; K Gassie 6/16 (6), C Dickson 3/25 (6).
SLSA – T Edward 43* (17) 6×4, 3×6.
Choiseul U19 76 all out (19.0), Central Castries U19 77/3 (14.5). C Castries won by 7 wickets.
Choiseul U19 – J Lawrence 21(29); A St Clair 3/21 (4), K James 2/8 (4), C Francois 2/10 (2), K Charles 2/11 (3).
CC U19 – S Francis 27 (44) 2×4, T Venner 20 (20) 3×4; J Joseph 2/14 (5).