Jamaica’s Under-15s finally tasted victory in the fifth and final match of their CWI Rising Stars bilateral series against Trinidad & Tobago, but the visitors had already sealed the series 3-1 after a dominant run.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat first at the Melbourne Oval, the visitors crumbled under early pressure.
Opener Davis Guerra (1) and number three batter Samir Boodoo (2) were back in the pavilion with just six runs on the board, falling in the first and third overs, respectively.
A 36-run, third-wicket partnership between Nityum Mangru (24) and captain Keshav Mongru (15) offered brief resistance, but first-change bowler Hugh Turner ripped through the innings after the first water break.
The Garvey Maceo student finished with sensational figures of 5 for 19, while leg-spinner Zachary Buchanan chipped in with three vital wickets as T&T were skittled out for just 74 in 23.2 overs.
Jamaica’s chase, however, was far from smooth. They slipped to 13 for 2, then 18 for 3, before Buchanan (18) and captain Rajae McGeachy (15) steadied the ship with a 33-run, fourth-wicket stand.
When both fell in quick succession, Jamaica were 52 for 5, but an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership between Jabari Ralph (13 not out) and Raheim Livingston (nine not out) saw the home side home at 75 for 5 in the 27th over.
Giovanni McKnight and Sanjiv Bachu took two wickets each for T&T, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Jamaica from ending the series on a winning note.
Jamaica head coach Robert Samuels admitted his side had underperformed for much of the series but praised their fight in the finale.
“The talent in this team is undeniable. We saw today what these boys are capable of when they apply themselves. But talent alone isn’t enough. It needs to be harnessed, disciplined, and backed up by consistent effort. This win is a small step, but a necessary one,” Samuels said.
T&T coach Nisar Mohammed, while delighted with the series victory, was gracious in defeat.
“Three-one is a fair reflection of how we’ve played across the five matches. But full credit to Jamaica, they came back strongly in this final game and showed character. At the end of the day, cricket was the winner today. Both sets of boys learned valuable lessons, and that’s what development cricket is all about.”
