Jamaica, Guyana, Leewards, Trinidad & Tobago are Busta semi-finalists
Guyana ensured their entry into the semi-finals of the 2002 Busta Cupwith a comprehensive innings and 42-run win over Leeward Islands athome. But their opponents, though picking up no points from theencounter, made it to the semi-finals themselves on the strength oftheir previous performances.Put in to bat, Guyana, bolstered by the return of ShivnarineChanderpaul and Carl Hooper, notched up a mammoth 442 in their firstinnings. Lennox Cush and Chanderpaul put on 253 runs for the thirdwicket, with Cush making 154 and Chanderpaul 140. The partnershipformed the foundation of a strong batting performance that included 54from Neil McGarrell.Mahendra Nagamootoo, relinquishing his captaincy role to Hooper,continued his fine performance with the ball, taking 6-71 in Leewards’reply. Only Fabian Adams at the top of the order and Runako Mortoncould even cross 50, and Leewards were bowled out for 237 in 80.2overs.Guyana afforded their opponents little respite after enforcing thefollow-on. Although Adams made yet another fifty, Leewards were bowledout for 163 in 62.5 overs. Nagamootoo took four more in this innings,but his 10-wicket match-haul was not enough to prevent the Man of theMatch award from going to Cush. McGarrell also took four wicketsLeewards’ second innings.At Trinidad, the hosts drew their match with Windward Islands, pickingup six points to Windwards’ three. Batting first, Trinidad & Tobagomade 380, a total comprised largely of Dwayne Bravo’s 122 and skipperRichard Smith’s 72. Windward Islands, however, replied positively,with Junior Murray hitting 105. The visitors conceded a lead of only40 runs, being bowled out for 340; Dinanath Ramnarine took fivewickets for Trinidad & Tobago.The second innings saw Darren Ganga at the top of the order hit 151not out, and his opening partner Imran Jan making 94 before beingdismissed. Trinidad & Tobago hit up 298/2 in 102 overs beforedeclaring and setting Windwards a target of 339. The visitors werenever going to make it, however, and the match wound down to theinevitable draw with Windwards reaching 96 for no loss in 24 overs.The match, however, gave Trinidad & Tobago the coveted semi-finalberth in the Busta Cup, where they will face off against Jamaica.Jamaica won their own match against Bangladesh ‘A’ by an innings and60 runs. Batting first, the hosts put up 368, with Wavell Hindsscoring 78, Ricardo Powell 86, and Gareth Breese 72.For Bangladesh ‘A,’ Hannan Sarkar at the top of the order hit 55 andAkram Khan a well-made 46, but none of the other batsmen could makeany significant score, and the visitors were bowled out for 166 in 70overs. Following on, they did little better, managing only 142 in 52.2overs. Darren Powell took 5-27 for Jamaica, earning the Man of theMatch award.Defending champions Barbados do not find themselves in the semi-finalsof this edition of the Busta Cup, even though they won their matchagainst West Indies ‘B’ by an innings and 263 runs. Batting first,Barbados notched up 557 in quick time, three of their batsmen makingcenturies. Skipper Sherwin Campbell hit 107, Kurt Wilkinson 135, andRyan Hinds 166. Floyd Reifer’s 54 and Courtney Browne’s 52 were almostnot needed.Suleiman Benn then took 5-87 in bowling West Indies ‘B’ out for 193.Following on, they did even worse, bowled out for 101 in 45 overs. TBest took 5-37 in the West Indies ‘B’ second innings, but the Man ofthe Match award went to Ryan Hinds for top-scoring in the firstinnings.