A FIVE-WICKET haul by Ishmael Ali put TT in a commanding position against Leeward Islands at the end of day one in round one of the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-17 two-day championships at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal on Wednesday.
Off spinner Ali grabbed 5/16 in 13 overs as Leeward Islands were dismissed for a paltry 73.
"This is my first time in the Under-17 regional tournament. It is a great feeling getting five wickets – make my parents proud," Ali told Newsday.
Ali, who is from Toco, is glad he is making the opportunity count. "I am living far, they sacrifice a lot. It is a great feeling performing this well and making my parents proud."
He said during the recently concluded Under-17 50-overs tournament his family came to see him play, but Wednesday they were keeping track of his progress online.
Medium pacer Aaidan Racha also proved to be a handful for the Leeward Islands batsmen taking 3/21 in eight overs.
Carlton Pluck was the best batsman for Leewards, scoring 22 off 44 balls and T'yanick Honore made 16 off 20.
In response, TT closed on 142/4 to lead by 69 runs on first innings. Luke Ali cracked 47 off 87 balls, hitting four fours. Brendan Boodoo, who was TT's Under-15 captain earlier this year, struck four fours in his innings of 44 off 67 balls.
Ozan Williams is the top bowler for Leeward Islands picking up 2/34 in 15 overs.
The last three rounds of the 50-overs tournament were washed out. Ali was glad the rain stayed away on Wednesday. "You can't do anything about the weather. You can't control the uncontrollables. We just thank God we got good weather today and are able to play a match."
TT, despite winning both of their matches in the limited-overs format, missed out on the 50-over title after earning less bonus points than Barbados. Ali is hoping TT can win the two-day crown.
"It is a great feeling to start well and just continue the momentum. We did well in the 50 overs, we did not lose any games. It is just to keep the energy going for the rest of the tournament."
In other two-day matches which started on Wednesday, Brian Barnes scored 114 to lead Jamaica to 200/9 declared at the National Cricket Centre in Couva. At stumps. Guyana were 65/2.
At Gilbert Park in California, Barbados posted 213 all out and Windward Islands closed on 27 without loss.
All the matches will continue on Thursday at 10 am.
Summarised Scores:
LEEWARD ISLANDS 73 (Carlton Pluck 22, T'yanick Honore 16; Ishmael Ali 5/16, Aaidan Racha 3/21) vs TT 142/4 (Luke 47, Brendan Boodoo 44; Ozan Williams 2/34).
JAMAICA 200/9 dec. (Brian Barnes 114, Jordan Pinnock 22; Matthew Pottaya 3/32, Bruce Vincent 2/34) vs GUYANA 65/2 (Romeo Deonarin 33 not out, Rampersad Ramnauth 21).
BARBADOS 213 (Reviera Cottle 35, Gadson Bowens 31, Khan Elcock 3/23, Kirt Murray 3/36) vs WINDWARD ISLANDS 27/0 (K Elcock 9 not out).
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