The curtains came down on the 32nd staging of the Kingston Wharves Under-15 Cricket Competition at the Jamaica Defence Force Cricket Grounds at Up Park Camp, yesterday. Manchester emerged victorious over defending champions St. Mary by eight wickets. Some 19 teams participated in the competition.
Pledging his commitment to youth cricket, CEO of Kingston Wharves Mark Williams noted that 32 was a signal that a batsman was just getting started, noting that KWL planned to be at the crease supporting youth cricket for a century and beyond. He underscored that the tournament was achieving its goal of helping to build character, skills and a legacy for the youngsters and the country.
He noted that the competition aligned with the company’s corporate philosophy and mantra of solid foundation and boundaryless possibilities. “We at Kingston Wharves see it as very important to partner with the JCA to build that solid foundation for our young cricketers that will unlock a world of limitless possibilities for them,” Mr. Williams stated.
Observing that this approach was already paying off, Mr. Williams pointed to Jamaica’s international players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and others who passed through the U-15 competition. He also cited the young crop of players who were already making a name for themselves, notably Jamaica’s Under-19 players (including Jordan Johnson) who were on the successful West Indies team touring Sri Lanka.
JCA President Wilford “Billy” Heaven thanked Kingston Wharves for its continued support. He also congratulated the teams, associations, officials and media for their role in the 2023 staging of the tournament. “I know everyone wants to win and winning is good. But for the JCA, this competition is about more than just winning; it is to identify talents across the length and breadth of Jamaica, so that we can come up with our best talents and identify a critical pathway to your development, ” the JCA President said.
Citing the performances of the Jamaicans on the under-19 West Indies team in Sri Lanka, Mr. Heaven said, those players came up through the Kingston Wharves competition. “So it tells the current crop of players, there is a future for you in the sport, if you only put your shoulders to the wheel; you can become a star player for Jamaica, the West Indies and franchises around the world,” Mr. Heaven stated.
Special awards were presented to the following persons:
- Finals-MVP: Demario Hall(Manchester) – (5wkts – 7runs off 6 overs)
- MVP- Manchester: Demario Hall – (155 runs @avg of 55; 1 century (120 n.o); 23 wickets
- MVP- St. Mary: Shavaughn Boyd – (18 wickets @ avg of 3.82)
- Most Runs: Pajay Nelson (Manchester)- 274 runs @ avg of 68.5; 1 century – 157
- Most Wickets: Demario Hall (Manchester) & Kenrick McFarlane (Lucas) – 23 wickets each
- Best Wicket Keeper: Pajay Nelson (Manchester) – 10 dismissals (6 catches + 4 stumpings)
Photo Caption:
The curtains came down on the 2023 staging of the Kingston Wharves Under-15 Cricket Competition at the JDF-Up Park Camp Cricket Grounds yesterday, with Manchester emerging victorious over. St. Mary. Kingston Wharves has been title sponsors for the tournament for 32 years. KWL’s CEO Mark Williams (right) and Jamaica Cricket Association President Wilford “Billy” Heaven left) join the Manchester boys in their celebration. Mr. Williams underscored KWL’s commitment to the competition which he noted has helped the youngsters to build character, skills and a lasting legacy for themselves, Jamaica and the region.
