MANDEVILLE, Jamaica, CMC – Shahid Crooks and Ramone Francis stroked half-centuries as Jamaica beat Guyana by five wickets, to make a winning start to the Regional Under-19 Championship here yesterday.
Crooks hit an unbeaten 73 and Francis got 53 as the hosts, chasing 204 for victory, cruised to their target in the 46th over at Manchester High School.
The Jamaicans lost both openers cheaply to be 60 for two but Crooks and Francis added 103 for the third wicket to repair the damage, and lay the groundwork for the win.
Crooks played an attacking knock, facing 61 balls and striking five fours and five sixes while Francis was more patient, consuming 80 deliveries and striking four boundaries.
Fast bowler Sherfane Rutherford was Guyana’s best bowler with two for 32.
Earlier, Guyana needed a lower order fightback to rally to 203 all out off 44.3 overs.
They slumped to 118 for eight before Ronaldo Alimohamed top-scored with 39 batting at number seven, and number ten Kassem Khan chipped in with 29 and last man Akenie Adams, 23 not out.
Alimohammed and Kassem Khan put on 39 for the ninth wicket before Alimohammed and Adams added an even more crucial 46 for the final wicket.
Alimohammed faced 40 balls and counted two fours and two sixes while Kassem Khan hit a four and three sixes off 34 deliveries.
Tyrone Daley (3-32) and Oshane Thomas (3-42) both finished with three wickets apiece.
