Jamaica U19s stun T&T

Jamaica Under-19s announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with at the CWI Rising Stars tournament, after dismantling previously unbeaten Trinidad & Tobago by a commanding 106 runs at Liberta Sports Club in St. John’s, Antigua, on Wednesday.

The young Jamaicans secured their second consecutive victory in emphatic fashion.

Asked to take the first strike on what appeared to be a challenging, yet decent surface, Jamaica found themselves in dire straits early.

The T&T pace attack, led by left-arm seamer Daniel Holder with 3-52 and Darron Dhanraj 2-37, reduced the Jamaicans to a precarious 76 for five in the 21st over.

Captain Pajay Nelson had contributed a steady 25, while middle-order batsman Ryan Littleton chipped in with a valuable 41.

Adrian Silvera played the anchor role to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 52, displaying maturity and shot selection far beyond his years. Facing 69 deliveries, Silvera combined patience with power, striking four fours and a towering six in his half-century knock.

Perico Henry played the perfect supporting role that truly transformed the innings.

The number 10 batsman Henry smashed two fours and a six in a blistering 25-ball knock of 24 not out.

The duo plundered vital runs in the death overs, guiding Jamaica to a highly respectable 225 for eight from their 50 overs.

Off-spinner and captain Brendan Bodoo ended with 2-43.

The T&T chase never gained momentum as they mirrored Jamaica’s early struggles, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Bodoo fought a lone battle, top-scoring with a defiant 54, but found little support from his teammates as wickets tumbled around him.

Pacer Jahdae Moore produced a sensational spell, finishing with figures of three for 10 from his 4.3 overs, while seamer Henry backed up his batting heroics with a brilliant three for 27, and Nicoli McKenzie two for 29 as the Red Force were skittled for just 119 in 35.3 overs.