By Orin Davidson
Nov. 19th, 2008
Another comprehensive defeat closed out the United States' campaign in the WICB Cup on Tuesday in Guyana.

This time it was the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) team which cashed in, cruising to victory by six wickets at the Everest ground in a shortened encounter on the penultimate day of the preliminary round matches of the 50 overs- a side series.

Considered the weakest of the West Indies-based teams on show, CCC nevertheless dispatched the fading US team on the back of a strong bowling performance on the normally placid Everest pitch.

Following a spirited display against competition favorites Trinidad and Tobago on Monday, the U.S. suffered a letdown against the College team, comprising players from the three campuses of the University of the West Indies.

Their batting crumbled against opening bowler Kavesh Kantasingh and Romel Currency, the former Windward Islands player, being restricted to 127 runs for eight wickets in a game reduced to 27 overs. In reply CCC knocked off the target, totaling 128-4 off 24.3 overs.

Replacement player Dennis Evans was the USA's tops corer with 30, opening the batting while lower down the order, Barrington Barthley was next with 27. Sixteen-year old batsman Gregory Sewdial, batting at number nine was the third highest scorer with 18 not out.

Carl Wright could not transfer his form from the Enmore ground the previous day when he hit a powerful half century, and could only muster 14 this time before falling to Kantasingh.

Captain Orlando Baker, did not find his form, contributing only nine while Akeem Dodson was unable to build on his good score on Monday, making only four.

Kantasingh was in devastating form, bagging 4-15 and got good support from Currency, known more for his batting but was good enough with the ball at Everest, taking 3-20.

Aditha Thyagarajan once again found it easier to shine with the ball than the bat, emerging for the second straight game with the USA's best bowling figures of 2-28, after making one with the bat.

For the CCC, Ken Edwards top scored with 36, Currency made 26 and Kurt Wilkinson 20 not out.

With one game rained out, against Jamaica the U.S. would not be pleased, losing the three completed games by wide margins to Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, prior to yesterday.

They end the series on the bottom of the points table with neighbors Canada who play their final game against Guyana on Wednesday, still looking to post their first win.