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 match faced a delayed start due to overnight rain and pitch conditions. Manchester won the toss and opted to field, a decision that quickly paid dividends. Opening bowler Demario Hall wreaked havoc, taking an impressive five wickets for a mere seven runs in six overs. Kevaughn Flemmings chipped in with three wickets for 11 runs, while Jadeah Moore secured one wicket for 14 runs. St. Mary struggled to find their footing, losing wickets at regular intervals, and eventually being bowled out for a modest 64 runs in 23.3 overs.
Manchester began their innings positively, with captain Demario Hall anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 35 runs. Kevoy Williams contributed 14 runs but was the first wicket to fall with the score at 43. Manchester eventually surpassed the target, reaching 68 for two wickets in 17 overs. The wickets for St. Mary were claimed by Tyson Gordon (one for 15) and Shavaughn Boyd (one for 17).
Coach Jamaine Morgan of Manchester attributed the team's success to the experience gained from playing Senior Cup cricket. "Me and some of the guys play Senior Cup for Manchester. The likes of Demario Hall, Pajay Nelson, and Jadeah Moore, we all play Senior Cup together, so they learn from the senior players. We focus on teaching them the fundamentals they haven't mastered yet. At the end of the day, we emerged victorious and were able to limit them to a low total through hard work and determination. We represented Manchester proudly," Morgan stated.
Oneil Cruickshank, the cricket operations officer at the Jamaica Cricket Association, expressed satisfaction with the tournament's performances, highlighting the improved performance of the young players compared to previous years. "The youngsters performed better than they did last year, which made me feel good, knowing that the work we have put in has been paying off," he said. He also praised the female cricketers who participated in the competition.
Mark Williams, CEO of Kingston Wharves, reaffirmed the company's long-standing commitment to sponsoring the Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket Competition, emphasizing their dedication to building character and fostering cricket talent in Jamaica and the West Indies. This year marked the 32nd year of Kingston Wharves' sponsorship.
Following the final, an awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements, with several players receiving accolades. Demario Hall of Manchester received the MVP of the final award, team MVP, and shared the title of most wickets with Kenrick McFarlane of Lucas, both tallying 23 wickets. Pajay Nelson, also from Manchester, secured two awards: most runs (274) and best wicket-keeper (10 dismissals). Shavaughn Boyd was recognized as the team MVP for St. Mary.
Under the gaze of Jamaica Cricket Association President Billy Heaven, CEO Courtney Francis, Cricket Operations Manager O’Neil Cruickshank and Corporate Services and Client Experience Manager Simone Murdock, St. Mary won the toss and invited St. Ann to take first strike.
St. Ann started shakily, losing their first wicket for 11 runs. They continued losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 77 runs in 39.2 overs.
Only four batsmen got into double figures - Jdain Bailey (18), Deshaun Gayle (14), Oneil Lampard (11) and Brandon Mowatt (10) - against the bowling of Shavaughn Boyd who bagged 6-18. Tedain Noyan backed him up with 2-26.
St. Mary achieved the 78 runs needed for victory for the loss of two wickets in just 13.3 overs as Davantae Miller top-scored with 38 and Tyreece Saunders 22. Jadeek Walker who took 1-10 was the lone wicket taker for St Ann.
Following the match, Cruickshank revealed that there are major changes to this year's competition.
"The most fundamental change that we have made is that we have moved from the limited overs version. We will be playing a one inning one day which means that the youngsters can bat as long as they can bat or as long as their teams wants them to bat or as long as the other team allows them to bat, so there no limit on the number of overs a particular team can face,” he explained.
“We have also allowed each team to use four players who are outside the age criteria. Additionally, we have allowed any female who has not yet reached the age of 19 at the start of the competition to participate."
Cruikshank said that at the conclusion of the tournament, the JCA select 28 youngsters who will begin preparation for the national team.
“It's the first time we will be doing it but we have looked at that cohort of youngsters and we believe that they are going need more time to be ready to compete in our regional tournament," he said.
The 2023 competition will feature 19 teams playing across four zones, with three zones having five teams and one, Zone 1, having four teams. This is so because St. Thomas will sit out this year due to a number of cricket-related challenges.
St. Elizabeth was bowled out for 113 all in 31.5 overs in the low-scoring affair. The weather then intervened and based on the Duckworth/Lewis method, St. Mary only had to make 75 in 33 overs to win the match and they duly obliged.
Five of St. Elizabeth's players got into double figures but failed to capitalize. Jayden Shaw, 14; Adrian Silvera, 12; Shaaairi Jadoo, 12; Dimitri Binns, 11; and Odane Binns, 10; were the principal scorers but they were all outdone by 36 extras conceded by St. Mary.
Jevaughny Brown took 5-33 while Tedain Noyan, 2-18 and Dijon Taylor 2-20 were decisive in support.
St Elizabeth conceded 11 extras before any of St. Mary's batsmen got a run on the board as the bowlers struggled in the damp conditions.
They would eventually concede 31, making life that much easier for St Mary’s batters.
Opener Tyreece Saunders, 12, and Jevaughny Shim, 13, led the scoring for the victors.
Jahliel Smith, Adiran Silvera and Demitri Binns each took a wicket for St Elizabeth.
St. Mary's Jevaughny Shim took home several awards; Most Wickets (23), MVP for St. Mary and final MVP for his five wickets for 33 and top score of 13.
“It’s been a very good competition, I have seen some good performances (and) I tell myself that I did well and I am looking forward to next year to start playing again," he said afterwards.
St. Elizabeth's Kevaun Brown, who scored 330 runs during the competition including a top score of 129, won the award for most runs scored. He was also named the MVP for St. Elizabeth with 16 wickets along with his 330 runs.
David Dewar, the captain of Kensington Cricket Club was the best wicketkeeper in the competition with nine dismissals that included four stumpings.
Cricket Operations Manager at the Jamaica Cricket Association Oneil Cruickshank was pleased with the running of the tournament.
"It went much better than we expected,” he said.
“The performances that we saw coming out of this competition were very heart-warming. We thought it may have been less but we saw a youngster scoring over 300 runs, one youngster taking over 23 wickets, and one young lady making a century. When we put it all together it was a fantastic tournament.”
Simone Murdock, Corporate Services and Client Experience Manager at Kingston Wharves was also pleased.
"Today's winner St. Mary is proof that we are moving the needle because it's St. Mary's first time with the trophy and we are so glad for them. We are also celebrating with St. Elizabeth who is a consistent performer," she said.
A new champion will be crowned on Thursday in the 31st edition of the Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket Competition as unbeaten St. Mary will take on St. Elizabeth in the final at Sabina Park after contrasting semi-final matches on Tuesday.
St. Mary only dropped points in the last match of their preliminary round against St. Catherine Cricket Association, which was rained out while St. Elizabeth lost only one of its preliminary round matches against Westmoreland.
St. Elizabeth defeated Kingston by 104 runs at Sabina Park.
After taking first strike, St Elizabeth made 214-8 from their allotment of 50 overs. Wicketkeeper/batsman Odane Binns was the top scorer with 49 while Davian Mason scored 40 and Adrian Silvera, an unbeaten 35.
Jhaliel Smith was also among the runs with 30.
There were two wickets apiece for Kingston’s bowlers Goevanni Grey, Captain Kajeev Bathyka and McKanell Palmer.
In reply, Kingston was bundled out for just 90 from 26.5 overs as the St Elizabeth bowling attack wreaked havoc. Only opener Nicoli McKenzie (13) got into double figures and there were 42 extras.
Davian Mason 3-1, Jhaleil Smith bagged 3-19 while Eckoney Robinson took 2-16.
The other semi-final at Kensington Cricket Ground was reduced to 38 overs a side because of bad weather.
In the low-scoring affair, St. Mary won the toss and invited home team Kensington to bat. They were bowled out for 93, despite a valiant 54 from Captain David Dewar.
Rushawn Bell took 4-22 and Dijon Taylor 2-14 while scything through the Kensington line-up.
In reply, St. Mary laboured to 94 for seven in 23.2 overs to win by three wickets.
Tyson Gordon, who was unbeaten on 38 and Devonte Miller 10 were the only players to get into double figures and there were 26 extras.
Geovanni Golding was the most successful bowler, getting 4-20 in six overs.
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.
