RAMPAUL HELPS T&T TO RAIN-SHORTENED WIN

SCARBOROUGH, Tobago, CMC - Trinidad and Tobago Red Force cruised to comfortable five wicket win over West Indies Under 19s in their rain affected third match of the NAGICO Super50 at Shaw park Tobago on Friday.

Powered by a solid half century partnership for the first wicket between Evin Lewis and Nicholas Sookdeosingh, Red Force coasted to 101 for five after restricting the young West Indians to 97 for 7 in a match reduced to 21 overs because of a wet outfield caused by persistent rain.

Lewis and Sookdeosingh put together an opening stand of 58 as Red Force, considered among the favourites for title honours in the tournament, and asserted themselves.

Lewis smashed three sixes and a four in a top score of 38 while Sookdeosingh hit four fours and a six while contributing 35.

Shamar Springer disturbed the Red Force  momentum temporarily by grabbing three wickets including shattering the stumps of Darren bravo for a duck.

But a boundary from Kevon Cooper ensured the home side secured their win with five overs to spare.

Earlier Pacer Ravi Rampaul and spinner Sunil Narine spoiled an enterprising effort by Windies under 19s to post a competitive total, after they were sent in to bat by Trinidad and Tobago.

Rampaul and Narine shared five wickets between them to curb the enthusiasm of the young West Indies cricketers after they carved out a powerful half century stand for the first wicket.

Openers Hetmyer who scored 50 and Chanderpaul 31 carried their side to 79 but when they were separated the remaining six batsmen departed for the addition of 18 runs.

The two promising openers batted responsibility but got little support – Hetmyer hitting two sixes and Chanderpaul the same number of sixes and a boundary.

Rampaul picked up three wickets for eleven runs from four overs while Narine grabbed two for 13 from five overs.