WILDEY, Barbados, CMC –Middle-order batsman Bryan Gayle stroked a sparkling century as Jamaica registered a nerve-wracking two-wicket win over Trinidad and Tobago with four balls to spare, in round five of the Regional Under-19 one-day Championship yesterday.
Set 218 for victory at the Banks Sports Club, Jamaica recovered from the great peril of 53 for five to reach 218 for eight in the last over, with Gayle getting a superb 104.
He shared in a stupendous sixth-wicket partnership of 114 in 30.1 overs with Brandon King who made an invaluable 30 as they revived Jamaica’s hopes.
Captain Vikash Mohan broke the stand, having King caught and bowled in the 40th over.
Bryan and Delbert Gayle then kept Jamaica in the hunt posting 40 in even time before Delbert gave a return catch to leg-spinner Addrien Daniel (2-29) off the first ball of the 47th over with 12 runs still needed.
There was more drama four deliveries later when Bryan Gayle departed caught by Brian Christmas off Daniel with just one run added.
He faced 115 balls, and counted six fours and five sixes in 139 minutes.
Jamaica started the last over with the scores level and Raghni Francis saw them home with a single off left-arm spinner Jovan Ali.
No such drama was apparent when Jamaica cruised to 46 without loss with openers Oshane Walters (25) and Kerry Holness (19) in control.
However, the innings plunged into turmoil as Ali claimed three for 26 and off-spinner Anthony Simmons, two for 60.
Jamaica lost three wickets with the score on 53 including Walters, who was bowled by Ali who also removed Aldaine Thomas off the very next ball.
Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago’s made 217 all out from 48.3 overs after they were sent in.
Their innings was centred around a quality knock of 76 from Mohan who stroked four boundaries and a six from 88 balls.
He added 71 off 81 balls for the third wicket with Ewart Nicholson who lashed a robust 36 laced with three sixes in 40 balls.
Left-handed opener Jereme Solozano contributed 30.
Despite this, Trinidad & Tobago lost their last seven wickets for 85 as off-spinner Walters picked up four for 41.
