St. Mary is yet to lose a match in this year's competition, and they will be confident of defending their title. They defeated Kingston in their semi-final, bowling them out for 68 and then chasing down the total in just 12.2 overs.
Manchester, on the other hand, has a number of national championships under their belt, including the last one in 2019 at the same venue as this year's final. They lost one match in the preliminary round of the competition to St. Mary, but they will be hoping to turn the tables on their opponents in the final.
The match is expected to be a close one, with both teams having strong batting and bowling lineups. St. Mary will be relying on their experienced players, such as Tyreece Saunders and Devantae Miller, to lead the way, while Manchester will be looking to their young stars, such as Demario Hall and Matthias Knight, to make a big impact.
The pitch at Up Park Camp is expected to be a good one for batting, so both teams should be able to score runs. However, the conditions could also favor the bowlers, so it will be interesting to see how the teams adapt.
The final is sure to be a thrilling contest, and it is one that cricket fans will not want to miss.
The workshop was designed to go beyond the boundaries of the cricket field, focusing on essential life skills such as conflict resolution, effective communication, and media interview techniques. These skills are crucial for the development of young cricketers as they progress in their careers and face the demands of modern sports, both on and off the field. The day concluded with a guided tour of the Kingston Wharves port, which was met with enthusiasm by the young participants.
Mark Williams, CEO of Kingston Wharves, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative. "It's more than just playing the game. Cricket is now a business, and we need to ensure that these young athletes are fully prepared for the world. This means speaking well, having confidence in who they are, and, most importantly, understanding conflict resolution. We may not always agree with an umpire's decision, but we must respect it. Today's workshop is about building leaders and instilling good values in these young cricketers."
The first session, led by Dr. Jayson Downer, a forensic psychologist and founder of Men of God Against Violence and Abuse, centered on conflict resolution. Dr. Downer highlighted the importance of understanding and managing conflict, not just in cricket but in everyday life. "Conflict is a part of daily life, and it's crucial for these young men to learn how to handle it effectively. Whether on the field or in their daily routines, the skills they’ve learned today will be essential as they navigate challenges, including those they may encounter in school."
Ryan Littleton, captain of the Westmoreland cricket team, found the session particularly valuable. "If there's any argument or issue, we can address it within the team. If I can't resolve it, I know I can talk to the coach or manager," he said.
Abraham Waugh, captain of Kensington, who will lead his team against Westmoreland in Friday’s final, echoed Littleton's sentiments. "The workshop really taught me to understand my teammates' perspectives and consider their thoughts, which will be crucial for Friday's match."
The communication and media training session, conducted by well-known media personality Paula Ann Porter-Jones, was lively and interactive, providing the captains with practical skills to manage their interactions with the media confidently.
Oneil Cruickshank, the cricket operations and development manager at the Jamaica Cricket Association, spoke about the workshop's objectives and its future role in the competition. "Ideally, we would have loved to conduct this training for all team levels, but this is a start. We've identified the captains to participate in this workshop as part of our effort to build leadership in these young athletes. The skills they learn here—conflict management, communication, media presentations—are vital and have nothing to do with play. This workshop is timely, and I can confidently say it will become a feature of our pathways program going forward."
The success of this inaugural workshop marks a significant step in the holistic development of Jamaica’s young cricketers, equipping them with the tools necessary for success on and off the field.
Despite a modest batting performance that saw them score 61 all out, with Ryan Parris leading the way with 17 runs and Sanjany Samuels contributing 14, St James’ efforts were bolstered by a notable 20 extras. St. Elizabeth's Eckoney Robinson emerged as a formidable force, claiming 5-15 in 10.4 overs, while Jayden Shaw captured 2-7 in nine overs.
However, it was in the field that St. James truly dazzled. St. Elizabeth, historically a dominant force, faced an unprecedented collapse, being dismissed for a mere 25 runs in 14.3 overs.
The team's reliance on 11 extras highlighted their struggle against St. James' impressive bowling attack. Jaheim Bennett's contribution of five runs emerged as the sole spark amidst the challenge. The star of the show, Samoya Samuels, exhibited her finesse with the ball, taking the last three wickets with three consecutive deliveries. Her remarkable feat concluded St. Elizabeth's inning in just 1.3 overs. Jaden Williams and Desron Dunn also showcased their prowess, each taking three wickets for six and seven runs, respectively.
Cecil Fletcher, President of the St. James Cricket Association, beamed with pride as he hailed his team's exceptional performance. Eagerly anticipating the upcoming quarter-final match against multiple-time national champion Manchester, Fletcher's optimism was palpable.
Richard Walters, manager of the St. Elizabeth team, acknowledged the challenging year they faced, winning only two of their four preliminary round matches. Despite the setbacks, he expressed confidence in the team's resilience, citing their historical success in the quarter-final round.
Results from other completed matches on the day revealed a dynamic array of outcomes. The Portland vs. Kingston match was rained out, while Kensington triumphed over Lucas and Trelawny emerged victorious against Hanover. St. Catherine Cricket Club secured a win against KSACA (Kingston & St. Andrew Cricket Association), while Manchester triumphed over St. Catherine Cricket Association, the only other team to suffer defeat in all their matches. The Portmore vs. Boys Town match ended in a draw, and the rescheduled Clarendon vs. St. Ann match similarly resulted in a tie.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on the forthcoming quarter-final matches scheduled for the 21st of the month. With the pursuit of victory as their driving force, teams from across the island will converge at four venues, ready to make their mark in this exhilarating cricket competition.
Commencing their triumphant journey at the Ultimate Cricket Oval in St. Ann on July 25, St. Mary's triumph in the opening match has set the tone for their winning run. The second match witnessed a commanding triumph against former national champions, Manchester, on their home turf of Manchester High School. This triumph was mirrored in their third match at Boscobel, where they emerged victorious against the St. Catherine Cricket Association.
With their eyes firmly set on victory, St. Mary exhibited their exceptional skill once again at the Boscobel Cricket Ground, this time facing off against Clarendon. In a thrilling encounter on Tuesday, the St. Mary team secured an impressive 89-run win against Clarendon.
Clarendon faced a setback as they arrived late to the venue and subsequently lost the toss. St. Mary seized the opportunity, taking to the wicket and amassing a total of 142 all out in 25.2 overs. Noteworthy performances were delivered by three standout batsmen - Dijon Taylor, Tyson Gordon, and Akeem Palmer.
Dijon Taylor's exceptional 27-run contribution stood out, complemented by Tyson Gordon's 14 and Akeem Palmer's 11. Perico Henry emerged as the chief wicket taker, securing an impressive four wickets for 35 runs, with Talbert Wallace and Danjay Larmond contributing two wickets each for 23 and 39 runs respectively.
In response, Clarendon's batting faltered, managing a modest 53 all out in 20.3 overs. The team struggled from the outset, losing their first two wickets without any substantial runs on the board. Despite the efforts of Perico Henry and Deshaun Smith, the team struggled to gain momentum.
The standout performer for St. Mary was undoubtedly Shavaughn Boyd, who secured an impressive 6-17 runs in just 5.3 overs. Boyd's efforts were supported by Devantae Miller's 2 for 8 and Tedian Noyan's 2 for 10.
St. Mary's dominance parallels the unbeaten streak of former national champions, Westmoreland. Their victories against St. Elizabeth, Trelawny, Hanover, and St. James have solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
As the preliminary round draws to a close, the anticipation for the upcoming quarter finals intensifies. This year, the competition has seen a significant alteration under the guidance of O’Neil Cruickshank, the Jamaica Cricket Association's cricket operations manager.
The shift to a one inning one-day format allows young players the freedom to bat as long as their skills and determination permit, marking a departure from limited overs cricket. Furthermore, teams are now able to include up to four players outside the age criteria, while female participants under the age of 19 are also welcomed to participate.
Looking forward, Cruickshank revealed an exciting prospect - the announcement of 28 exceptional young talents at the conclusion of the competition, who will embark on a journey of preparation for the national team. This pioneering initiative aims to groom and equip these budding stars for success in regional tournaments.
With 19 teams participating across four zones, the competition continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts. The absence of St. Thomas this year, owing to cricket-related challenges in the parish, further underscores the determination and resilience demonstrated by the competing teams.
