Trinidad and Tobago's Richard Kelly is being congratulated by team-mates after he had completed a five-wicket haul at Sabina Park yesterday. Kelly took five for 16 off eight overs. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer A TENSE battle is expected on today's third and final day of the West Indies Under-19 cricket final between Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago at Sabina Park when play resumes at 10:30 p.m.
On a day of several twists and turns, Trinidad & Tobago defended a modest 147 yesterday to take first innings honours from Barbados who were dismissed for 124. However, the Trinidadians were struggling at 95 for eight at the end of the second day's play.
Trinidad & Tobago, led by the competition's leading wicket-taker Ravi Rampaul with figures of 4-49 off 11 overs and follow pacer Richard Kelly, 5-16 from eight overs, fought back brilliantly in the pre-lunch session to regain the upper hand.
Barbados resumed the second day on 47 for two, with overnight batsmen Kirk Gibson (20) and Kirk Edwards (15) at the wicket and looking set to get the required first innings total. However, after adding two runs to his score, Alan Mahabir trapped Edwards led before wicket for 17 with the score on 50 for three.
Skipper Kenroy Williams (21) joined Gibson and the two then featured in the biggest partnership of the Barbados innings, 47, before the latter went to Kelly for a top score of 49 at 97 for three.
When the Trinidadians batted a second time, Ruel Brathwaite (3-19 off 13 overs) and fast bowler Corey Edwards (3-24 from 13), along with one run out struck seven telling blows to have them reeling at 42 for seven.
Thanks to an 42-run eight wicket partnership between Dinesh Ramdin (27) and Amit Jaggernauth (27 not out), the Trinidadians got to a lead of over 100.
Earlier, Trinidad & Tobago lost their first wicket to Edwards. Tishan Maraj was the first to go, the opener edged Edwards to wicketkeeper Jamal Smith without a run on the board. Then Imran Khan (seven) and Satish Naidoo (zero) went at 13 for three.
Trinidad & Tobago, last year's beaten finalists, will be hoping that their last two wickets will be able to realise a lead close to 150.
