KINGSTOWN, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica manager, Gibbs Williams, says their conquest in the one-day version of the Rising Stars Under-19 Championship, gave them the confidence they could make a clean sweep of titles. The Jamaicans completed the double on Tuesday here when they beat Barbados by 56 runs on the final day of the three-day tournament at Arnos Vale Stadium, just weeks after winning the one-day title last month.
“When we were leaving to come to this tournament, our real aim was to take home the three-day championship because we know the quality we possess,” Williams said. “We were also aware that we have a quality one-day unit so when we played the limited overs version first and we won, it gave us all the confidence we needed going into the three-day version.
“And we knew the competition would’ve been tough and we knew that the games would’ve been challenging but we were up to the task and we are happy for the victory.” Jamaica showed great maturity in the final. Reduced to 78 for four on the first day, they recovered to reach 269 all out, courtesy of a splendid 120 from in-form left-hander Jordan Johnson.
When Barbados coasted to 88 for two in reply, seamer Deshawn James snatched a five-wicket haul to reduce them to 158 all out, and earn his side a handy 111-run first innings lead. Jamaica’s maturity was again evident when they tumbled to 87 all out in their second innings but bounced back to roll Barbados over for 142, thanks to leg-spinner Tamarie Redwood (4-47) and fast bowler Reon Edwards (3-31). Williams said the previous year’s tournament had been a crucial learning curve for the current group of players.
“If you recall, last year when we came here we finished in fourth position, a number of these boys came here last year,” he explained. “And so we knew they would’ve been one year older and one year wiser and with the preparation that coach [Terrance Corke oversaw], and the programme that we planned this year we were very optimistic of our chances coming here.
“Having done the homework, having done a little bit of introspection and studied the tournament, we felt comfortable that when we came, we would’ve done much better than we did last year.”
Jamaica also completed the double in the Under-19 tournament back in 2009.
