ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC - The highly-talented Lendl Simmons cracked a brilliant century but it proved not to be enough as the West Indies Under-19s went under by 14 runs to Guyana in the opening Zone B match of the Red Stripe Bowl limited overs competition at the Antigua Recreation Ground yesterday.
Simmons, the right-handed top order batsman, scored exactly 100 and almost single-handedly took the young Windies to their target, but after he was dismissed, they fell short at 238 for eight off their 50 overs.
Earlier, West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul top-scored with 66 in the Guyana innings and there were useful contributions from Ryan Ramdass(63), Narsingh Deonarine (39) and Sewnarine Chattergoon (34) as the Guyanese posted 252 for six off 50 overs.
Trinidadian Simmons, the nephew of former West Indies player, Phil Simmons, scored his runs from 113 balls and his knock contained nine fours and two sixes.
Simmons looked well set for a bigger score but in attempting to play the reverse sweep, he lobbed a gentle catch to short fine-leg off the bowling of leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo who finished with four for 50 from his 10 overs.
Simmons, striking the ball with power and accuracy to all parts of the ground, shared in a third wicket stand of 146 with Assad Fudadin (29) after they had come together at 11 for two, before the latter was dismissed with the score on 140.
When Simmons went at 157 for four, the Under-19s were lifted by a late flourish by fast bowling all-rounder Ravi Rampaul, who made 21 after taking two for 27 in the Guyana innings.
Fast bowler Rayon Griffith captured the first two wickets, which rocked the U-19s innings and he finished with two for 32 from 10 overs.
Chanderpaul, the Guyana captain, revived his side's fortunes after they were in danger on 135 for four in the 30th over.
Chanderpaul and Deonarine performed the rescue act in a partnership of 80 off 65 balls and carried their team to 205 when the fifth wicket fell.
Rampaul, who started impressively along with new-ball partner Mervin Matthews in restricting the openers, came back to claim the wickets of Chanderpaul and Deonarine.
But despite Simmons' heroics, the U-19s slumped to defeat, as the other batsmen were unable to match his effort.
Zone B competition continues today with defending champions Barbados against the University of the West Indies.
GUYANA innings
S.Chattergoon c wkp. Ramdin b Bachan 34
R.Ramdass c Marshall b Bachan 62
R.Sarwan c Marshall b Bachan 9
L.Cush c B.Khan b Matthews 2
*S.Chanderpaul c Ramdin b Rampaul 66
N.Deonarine c Z Khan b Rampaul 39
M.Nagamootoo not out 17
+V.Nagamootoo not out 13
Extras: (lb-1, w-6, nb-3) 10
Total: (for six wickets off 50 overs) 252
Fall of wickets: 1-79, 2-109, 3-118, 4-135, 5-205, 6-222.