Barbados U19s retain CWI Rising Stars title with 116-run win over Jamaica

Barbados Under-19s retained the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 50-over title on Thursday, defeating Jamaica by 116 runs in the final at Liberta Sports Club in Antigua.

Batting first, Barbados posted a formidable 320 for nine from their 50 overs. Justin Paris anchored the innings with a round 100 from 98 deliveries, including 23 fours and one six. He added 108 for the fifth wicket with Kemar Dickson, who scored 48. Kianni Clarke contributed 49 and Rejay Gibbons 37.

For Jamaica, Alexander Elliot claimed four for 40 and Jaden Moore three for 58.

Chasing 321, Jamaica were dismissed for 204 in 43.5 overs. Demario Hall led the reply with 47, while captain Pajay Nelson scored 36. The pair offered the steadiest resistance in a 58-run fifth-wicket stand. Tyson Gordon Jr. made 28 and Henry 22.

Paris then completed a standout all-round display with five for 35, named player of the match, while Asher Branford took three for 19 as Barbados sealed the championship.

Nelson said Jamaica had chosen to bowl first believing the surface would let them put Barbados under early pressure, but that plan failed to land. Asked about Barbados’ late surge of 122 runs in the final 10 overs, he pointed to how the Batjans finished: “The last four play they play what they see. Don't create anything, just play your shots when it's there to play. Play without pressure, without just free mind cricket, free minded cricket.”