Fri, Jul 24, 2026
Fri, Jul 24, 2026
Garfield Sobers U-19 cricket: Top Level Academy stumble at final after stellar run
A spectacular five-match winning streak on the trot came to a grinding halt for the Guyanese side, Top Level Academy, as they were outclassed by the Sir Everton Weekes Centre of Excellence in the tournament final at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday.
Propelled by a magnificent all-round display from Ramiro Stoute and a lethal spell of left-arm spin bowling from Joshua Thompson, the Centre of Excellence secured an emphatic 80-run victory, handing Top Level Academy only their second defeat of the entire campaign of the Sir Garfield Sobers International U19 Cricket Tournament.
Batting first in a match reduced to 39 overs, the Sir Everton Weekes Centre of Excellence posted a highly competitive 196 for 7.
The innings was held together by a brilliant 66 from Stoute, who anchored the middle overs with composure.
He found capable support down the order from Jovani Lovell and Jaden Joseph, who both chipped in with crucial knocks of 26, while Saarik Gilkes added a vital 24. For Top Level Academy, Richard Ramdeholl was the standout bowler, claiming excellent figures of 3 for 25.
Kaylan Callender backed him up with 2 for 30, while Mickel Sharma (1 for 34) and Shahid Ramzan (1 for 38) provided secondary breakthroughs.
In reply, Top Level Academy’s batting order ultimately folded under the pressure of the chase, bundled out for a mere 116 in 29.2 overs. Callender showcased his all-round value by top-scoring with a defiant 42, and Shane Prince managed 22, but the rest of the lineup succumbed to a relentless opposition attack.
Joshua Thompson was the chief destroyer, ripping through the middle and lower order to finish with phenomenal match-winning figures of 4 for 19. Stoute capped off a memorable personal final by taking 2 for 21 with the ball, while Demarko Maynard’s 2 for 24 helped seal the championship.
Top Level Academy had booked their place in the summit clash following a nervy, hard-fought four-wicket win over Harrison College. Their bowlers set up the victory by restricting Harrison College to 143 for 9 in their allotted 40 overs.
Jasane Craig led the attack with 3 for 26, but it was the suffocating economy of Shahid Ramzan (2 for 6) and Kaylan Callender (2 for 8) that truly turned the screws. Abdulla Mangera (30), Aiden Hinds (24), and Shaylun Wood (23) were the only batsmen to offer sustained resistance.
The chase of 144 proved tricky, but Top Level Academy crawled over the line in 37.5 overs, finishing at 144 for 6. Mickel Sharma (35) and Kishawn Silas (33) laid the foundation at the top of the order.
Following a middle-order wobble sparked by Shafee Nagdee (3 for 23) and Emile Reid (2 for 29), it was an unbeaten 21 from Richard Ramdeholl, alongside contributions from Ramzan (17) and Joshua Bollers (14), that steered the Guyanese side home.
Heading into the knockouts, Top Level Academy had flexed their muscles in their final preliminary match, securing a commanding 59-run victory over NY Tri-State Youth Development.
Mickel Sharma was the undisputed star of the contest, blasting an aggressive 89 to propel his team to 207 for 8 in 40 overs. Joshua Bollers provided a solid 35 in support, while Raghav Prabhune (3 for 35) was the pick of the New York bowlers.
Sharma then returned with the ball to deliver a devastating spell, claiming 4 for 24 to dismantle the New York run chase.
Despite valiant thirties from Ishaan Unnithan (33) and Darrius Pearson (31), NY Tri-State was bowled out for 148 in 32 overs.
Shahid Ramzan (2 for 15) maintained the pressure, with Callender, Prince, and Ramdeholl all picking up a wicket apiece to complete the rout.
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.