Tue, Jul 21, 2026
Tue, Jul 21, 2026
Garfield Sobers U-19 cricket: Top Level Academy surge to third straight win
Top Level Academy are officially on a roll.
After stumbling out of the blocks with a defeat in their tournament opener, the Guyanese side registered their third victory on the bounce, dismantling Antigua Schools by a massive 116-run margin in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Under-19 Cricket Tournament.
Built on a series of gritty, cascading partnerships rather than a single marathon innings, Top Level Academy’s 215 for 8 proved entirely too steep a mountain for the Antiguans, who folded for just 99 inside 25 overs.
The Guyanese batting effort was a testament to collective responsibility. While no batter managed to convert their start into a defining half-century, the top and middle order batted with enough tempo to ensure the run rate never stagnated during their 40-over allocation.
Nicholas Lovell top-scored with a fluent 38, finding reliable support from Kishawn Silas, who struck a vital 35.
Whenever Antigua Schools looked poised to seize control of the innings, Top Level Academy found a way to counter-punch. Kaylan Callender chipped in with a busy 29, and Shaid Ramzan’s 22 helped elevate the total past the psychological 200-run mark.
For the Antiguans, Ondra Peters was the undisputed standout with the ball. Bowled with excellent control, Peters relentlessly chipped away at the Guyanese lineup, finishing with superb figures of 4 for 30.
Jayden Charles offered solid support with 2 for 33, but the lack of sustained pressure from the rest of the attack allowed Top Level Academy to bat out their overs and post a daunting score.
Chasing 216 at well over five-and-a-half runs an over, Antigua Schools needed a brisk start. Instead, they wilted almost immediately under the scoreboard pressure.
Mickel Sharma was the chief destroyer for the Guyanese side, hitting his lengths beautifully to rip through the batting order. Sharma claimed 3 for 19, effectively breaking the back of the run chase before it ever truly began.
Hosea Roberts offered brief, defiant resistance at the crease with 28, and Anthony Pierre waged a lone, unbeaten battle in the lower order to finish on 24*. Aside from Keno Goodwin (13), however, the rest of the scorecard made for grim reading.
The Guyanese support cast of Saif Samaroo (2 for 13) and Shane Prince (2 for 34) kept a tight leash on proceedings, suffocating the Antiguan batters and inducing a steady procession of wickets.
Antigua Schools were ultimately bundled out in just 24.5 overs, sealing a commanding, comprehensive victory for a resurgent Top Level Academy team that suddenly looks like a force to be reckoned with.
Top Level Cricket Academy’s participation in the tournament has been made possible through support from the Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, ENet, L&L Construction, Copifix and E Timbers.
The squad features talented young players from the Guyana Police Force Academy, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Georgetown Cricket Club, Rose Hall Cricket Club, Malteenoes Cricket Club and Everest Cricket Club, highlighting the depth of emerging cricket talent across Guyana.