Tight battle in BG U-19 cricket final

The BG Under-19 Interzone final between South and East was hanging on a knife’s edge at the end of day one yesterday at the National Cricket Centre, Couva, after Justin Samkaran and Jeremy Solozano both struck half-centuries. Batting first, right-handed Samkaran top scored for South with 56 to guide his team to 178 all out. Keron Kanhai and Nadir Mohammed also contributed valuable runs to the total, scoring 40 and 25 respectively. Tevon Jadoo, who is having an excellent tournament with the ball, snatched 5/48, while Akil Seetal took 2/28.



East closed day one on 137/7 in its first innings, 41 runs behind the South zone. South would have been happy to dismiss Jeremy Solozano for 67, as the left-hander has been in top form. Solozano slammed 236 in the last round of the group stage against North at Honeymoon Park, and then made 158 in the semifinals against South-East, also at Honeymoon Park. Samuel Roopnarine was the best bowler for South, taking 2/35. Kanhai (1/0) and Shane Smith (1/19) were also among the wickets, taking one apiece. The U-19 champion will be crowned today.



SCORES
At National Cricket Centre: South 178 (Justin Samkaran 56, Keron Kanhai 40, Nadir Mohammed 25, Tevon Jadoo 5/48, Akil Seetal 2/28) vs East 137/7 (Jeremy Solozano 67, Samuel Roopnarine 2/35, Kanhai 1/0, Shane Smith 1/19)