Led by a half century opening partnership Guyana defeated Jamaica to retain the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) RegionalUnder-19 50-over tournament here on Sunday.
Captain Travis Persaud poses with the winner’s trophy
Openers Tevin Imlach and Shimron Hetmyer produced a 59-run first wicket partnership to help Guyana beat the hosts by four wickets to lift the 2015 championship trophy.
Chasing 246 for victory, Guyana reached 250 for six off 46 overs with Hetmyer scoring 55 and Sherfane Rutherford and Kassem Khan making 45 and 43 not out respectively.
Earlier, Jamaica won the toss and elected to bat with wicketkeeper-batsman Jevoy Spence topscoring with 92 and Brad Barnes hitting 51 not out in their total of 245 for six in the allotted 50 overs.
Spence’s near century came off 140 balls and included nine fours and two sixes. He also shared in key partnerships with Ramone Francis (31), Leonardo Friginette (40), Michael Frew (61) and Barnes (66).
Barnes’ half century came off 38 balls and he was left unbeaten with Odean Smith (13) at the end of the innings.
Akeenie Adams took two for 33 and Keemo Paul also took two for 39.
Guyana got off to a brilliant start in chasing Jamaica’s total with Hetmyer and Imlach frustrating their bowlers to reach 59 for the first wicket. Another 29 runs were added for the second wicket when Hetmyer was run out for 55.
Jamaica made some inroads by removing Balchan Baldeo for 15 but then Rutherford and Khan piled on the runs, scoring 69 for sixth wicket. Rutherford was eventually removed after being caught by Frew off Miguel Smith for 45.
At 218 for six, Guyana were sensing victory and Khan (43) and Parmanand Ramchand (6) led their side to a comfortable win.
Barnes (1-42), Smith (1-43) and Frew (1-44) were the wicket takers for Jamaica.
It was sweet revenge for the Guyanese who lost to Jamaica by five wickets in the first round of the tournament.
It was also the second regional title for Guyana after retaining the Under-15 tournament last week.
Scores:
JAMAICA: 245 for six off 50.0 overs (Jevoy Spence 92, Brad Barnes 51 not out, Michael Frew 30; Akenie Adams 2-33, Keemo Paul 2-39)
GUYANA: 250 for six 46.0 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 55, Sherfane Rutherford 45, Kassim Khan 43 not out; Brad Barnes 1-42, Miguel Smith 1-43, Michael Frew 1-44).
(Taken from CMC)