Jamaica earn first win in CWI Rising Stars U19 competition

After a disappointing opening defeat, Jamaica’s Rising Stars Under-19s delivered a thunderous statement of intent yesterday, dismantling Guyana by a comprehensive 10 wickets in their Cricket West Indies (CWI) regional encounter at the Bethesda Sports Complex.

Opener Odane Binns and his partner Tyson Gordon Jr chased a modest target with ease guiding Jamaica to 229 without loss in just 39 overs.

The victory, their first of the tournament, was orchestrated by a sensational batting masterclass that left the Guyanese bowlers searching for answers.

Binns was the undisputed star of the show, anchoring the innings with a majestic, unbeaten 104.

His knock, crafted off 109 balls, was a study in controlled aggression, featuring nine elegant fours and five towering sixes.

At the other end, Gordon Jr played the perfect supporting role, finishing with a composed 83 not out from 115 deliveries, which included 10 boundaries.

The pair looked completely at ease on a good batting surface, treating the Guyanese attack with disdain.

Their array of crisp extra-cover drives was a visual delight, while any short-pitched deliveries were brutally dispatched with authoritative back-foot pulls.

The humid conditions seemed to sap the energy from the Guyana bowlers, who lacked any real penetration and were visibly hampered by the absence of their skipper and wicketkeeper due to injuries sustained in the field.

Earlier in the day, Guyana had won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that appeared vindicated as they cruised to a commanding 175 for three in the 31st over.

Skipper Parmeshwar Ram led from the front with a fluent 78 off 93 balls, decorated with five fours and three sixes.

He was ably supported by wicketkeeper Shamar Apple, who contributed a steady 50 from 72 deliveries, while opener Kush Seegobin made 38.

However, the Guyanese innings imploded spectacularly in the final phase.

What looked like a platform for a total in excess of 250 disintegrated into rubble, as they lost their last six wickets for a paltry 21 runs to be bowled out for 225 in the 45th over.

The chief destroyer was the fiery right-arm seamer, Jahdae Moore.

He exploited the lack of late-order resistance to perfection, returning career-best figures of five for 36 from his 8.4 overs.

The collapse was swift. From 204 for three, the innings stuttered to 204 for five, and then to 222 for nine before the final wicket fell.

Jamaica will now look to build on this momentum when they face Trinidad & Tobago at the Liberta Sports Club tomorrow.