Windies youth break records

Pedro Collins © Getty Images

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West Indies Under-19 side helped tear up the record books when they faced Barbados in Guyana, but their cricketing feat is not one they will be particularly proud of having been dismissed for a record lowest total.

The youngsters were bowled out for 18 in in a KFC Cup match which is the lowest total in domestic one-day cricket, falling five runs below the 23 all out made by Middlesex against Yorkshire at Headingley in 1974.

Experienced left-armer Pedro Collins, who will play for Surrey in the 2008 domestic season, was the main tormentor as he took 7-11 at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground.

Collins’ figures also eclipsed Leeward Islands' medium-pacer Hamesh Anthony's previous best of 7-15 versus Barbados at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 1995.

The Under-19 side lasted a mere 14.3 overs after taking the opportunity of batting first and had their not have been six wides bowled the humiliation could have been much worse.

Six batsmen fell without scoring with Steven Jacobs (7) top scoring in what was smallest score since the regional one-day cricket was introduced in 1976. Bermuda's 48 against the Windward Islands in 1999 in Jamaica was the previous lowest

It took just 5.5 overs for Barbados to knock off the target for the loss of two wickets in a match which lasted all of two hours.

West Indies Under-19 coach Larry Gomes not surprisingly struggled to find any positives.

"It's disappointing, but it is all part of the development process," he told the Barbados Daily Nation.

"It is a learning experience for them but we can't do any worse - hopefully, we will learn from our mistakes and try and improve in all departments.

“We must give credit to the bowlers, but some of the players played some rash strokes but we have to keep them focused. They still have two games to play.”