RAIN brought a premature end to the Sandals Under-19 Cup final between Central Castries and the Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) last Saturday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Beausejour, Gros Islet.
Central Castries had a tough first session as they were without the services of right arm fast bowler McKenny Clarke, off spinner and leading wicket taker in the tournament Keygan Arnold and their captain, wicketkeeper batsman Ackeem Auguste. The trio left Saint Lucia to undertake studies at the University of the West Indies Cavehill Campus in Barbados and will in addition, be participating in cricket sessions.
Batting first the SLSA, scored their highest total in this year’s tournament, 271 all out in 44.2 overs with Royce Paul who came in at No.3 with the score on 8 for 1 scoring his maiden century, 106 which included 8 fours and two sixes. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper batsman Noel Leo with 92 which included 7 fours and 4 sixes. The pair added 146 for the fifth wicket. Keon Gaston was the other batsman to reach double figures, he made 14.
Fall of wickets: Kevin Gassie 4 (1 for 8), Kensley Paul 2 (2 for 16), Jahil Evans 10 (3 for 34), Tarrique Edward 5 (4 for 42), Noel Leo 92 (5 for 188), Keon Gaston 14 (6 for 241), Theo Edward 4 (7 for 255), Royce Paul 106 (8 for 264), Jequan Deshong 5 (9 for 267), Jeremiah Fedee 3 (10 for 271) and Stephon Dupres 2 not out.
Bowling for Central Castries, Ephron Charles 3 for 24, stand in captain Jayden Elibox 2 for 37, Jared Emmanuel 2 for 45, Tavi John 1 for 10 and Jaayxan Justin 1 for 32.
Requiring 272 for victory, Central Castries were 93 for the loss of 1 wicket in 19.3 before the rains came and put a damper on what was turning out to be an interesting run chase with the not out batsmen Ephron Charles 45 and DesneyGidharry 25, the pair had added 67 for the second wicket.
The batsman out, Keric Victor caught by wicketkeeper Noel Leo for 7 off the bowling of Jequan Deshong with the score on 26.
Deshong finish with 1 for 18 from 4 overs.
“Due to the fact that 20 overs constitute a match, the Duckworth Lewis System (DLS) could not have been used. They were three balls short and as a result in discussion with the team captains and coaches, the 2021 Sandals Cup will be shared by the two teams,” said Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) 1st Vice President, Shawn Alcindor.
A prize giving ceremony will be scheduled by Sandals Foundation at a later date to celebrate the champions.
The SLNCA took the time out to congratulate the 2021 Sandals Cup Under-19 champions Central Castries and the Saint Lucia Sports Academy.
Meanwhile, the SLNCA will be embarking on a series of matches over the next few weeks with the best 26 Under-19 players who took part in this year tournament.
