By Avenash Ramzan

avenash@newsroom.gy

Built as a model to provide young players from Guyana and Barbados with early exposure to competitive cricket and the opportunity to develop their skills in a structured, cross-territory environment, the Under-13 bilateral series concluded on Friday in Georgetown with the genuine belief that its intended purpose was achieved.

After Guyana won the opening two games with an air of command, Barbados rebounded brilliantly to win the next three matches and the series 3-2, including pull off a Super Over win in a riveting finale at Everest.

The series was formalised following discussions between President of the Guyana Cricket Board Bissoondyal Singh and his Barbados counterpart Calvin Hope that focused on creating an avenue for the Under-13 cricketers to hone their skills.

Singh and Hope, both Cricket West Indies Directors, were present on Friday afternoon to address the players and assist in the presentation of prizes after an exciting conclusion to the series.

It is understood that preliminary discussions have started between the two Boards for a similar exchange at the Under-17 level following the decision by Cricket West Indies to shelf the regional tournament for this age group.

Singh, in his remarks, reminded the players about the lessons that can be learnt from the game, including respect, resilience, patience and humility.

The lessons learnt on the pitch, the friendships built, the challenges faced, the joy of success and the grace to accept setbacks, Singh explained, are experiences that will stick with players long after the series is over.

“This tournament, and others like it, stands at the very heart of the West Indies cricket development pathway where young talent is identified, nurtured and guided toward representing our region with pride,” Singh told the gathering.

“It is through these early opportunities that future Guyana and West Indies cricketers begin to understand what it truly means to wear the maroon with honour.”

Members of the Guyana and Barbados Under-13 teams (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/December 19, 2025)

Singh lauded the parents for their sacrifices in fostering the next generation of West Indian cricketers, noting that their encouragement will fuel the dreams of the young cricketers.

“To every participant here: Continue to nurture your love for the game. Keep working on your skills with passion and purpose. Remember that the true measure of success comes not only in trophies and medals, but in the respect you show your opponents, the integrity you display in competition, and the joy you find in every moment you spend playing cricket,” the GCB head asserted.

“As we close this tournament, let us celebrate not just the winners, but all of you- the future ambassadors of Caribbean cricket.”

Hope was direct in his opening remarks to the players: “You represent everything that West Indies cricket stands for. You played with spirit, you played with flair, you never gave up and that is so wonderful to see these days. You are the future of our cricket.”

While congratulating the Barbados team on the series win and the commending the fight shown by the Guyanese cricketers, Hope pointed out the great camaraderie that prevailed during the series.

“Cricket won this series today. You respect the game. You played well, all of you! And all of you are winners,” the BCA boss declared.

Hope expressed gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board for seeing the value in collaborating for the bilateral series, adding that the return leg will be held in Barbados “at an appropriate time.”

“This is the start of a bilateral cooperation between the two Boards. We intend to look at the Under-17 tournament as well because both countries have a lot of talent at those levels and above.”

The many parents who travelled to Guyana- some for the first time- to root for the Barbados team did not escape the attention of Hope, who was grateful for their support to the players throughout the series.

See below match results 

Game One: Guyana won by seven wickets at Lusignan

SUMMARY:Barbados 177-7 from 36 overs (Extras 37, Natarie Lavine 37, Ky-Mani Inniss 27, Niako Patterson 19, Z’Dari Scantlebury 16, Jon-David Greene 16; Sahid Gajnabi 2-33, Makai Dowlin 1-20, Ashton Collins 1-22, Jasani Craig 1-26) vs Guyana 178-3 from 26.5 overs (Lomar Seecharran 79, Makai Dowlin 31*, Afraz Ali 25*; Z’Dari Scantlebury 1-15, Niako Patterson 1-17, Kijani Inniss 1-20)

Game Two: Guyana won by nine wickets at Lusignan

SUMMARY: Barbados 138 all out from 39.2 overs (Natarie Lavine 65, Extras 35; Deshawn Ramnauth 3-21, Jasani Craig 2-24, Adrian Emmanuel 2-26) vs Guyana 139-1 from 16.2 overs (Lomar Seecharran 82*, Sahid Gajnabi 20*; Jaheim Springer 1-41)

Game Three: Barbados won by three wickets at Lusignan

SUMMARY: Guyana 111-8 from 40 overs (Afraz Khan 39, Daniel Johnson 25; Jaheim Springer 2-10, Ky-Mani Inniss 2-22) vs Barbados 112-7 from 38 overs (Ky-Mani Inniss 22*, Natarie Lavine 17, Avery Boyce 17; Jaden Ganpat 2-12)

Game Four: Barbados won by seven wickets at Everest

SUMMARY: Guyana 119-8 from 35 overs (Sahid Gajnabi 28, Afraz Khan 28, Adrian Emmanuel 13; Kijani Inniss 3-14, Anahri Hinds 2-28, Liam Sookram 1-14, Natarie Lavine 1-17) vs Barbados 106-3 from 22.5 overs (Natarie Lavine 31, Jon-David Greene 27*, Ky-mani Inniss 17, ZDari Scantlebury 16*; Jaden Ganpat 1-17, Afraz Khan 1-17) RESULT: Barbados won by seven wickets after being set a revised target

Game Five: Barbados won the Super Over after a tied game at Everest

SUMMARY: Barbados 103 all out from 36 overs (Ky-mani Inniss 37, Natarie Lavine 20; Sahid Gajnabi 3-25, Afraz Khan 2-5, Jaden Ganpat 2-14, Brandon Grimmond 1-3, Deshawn Ramnauth 1-19) vs Guyana 103 all out from 28.3 overs (Daniel Johnson 26, Sahid Gajnabi 22, Afraz Khan 12; Z’Dari Scantlebury 3-7, Kijani Inniss 2-29, Natarie Lavine 1-16, Liam Sookram 1-18) Super Over: Guyana 6-1 vs Barbados 7-0

Awards

• Most Valuable Player (Barbados)– Natarie Lavine (170 runs and two wickets)
• Most Valuable Player (Guyana)– Sahid Gajnabi (87 runs and five wickets)
• Most Runs (Barbados)– Natarie Lavine (170)
• Most Runs (Guyana)– Lomar Seecharran (161)
• Most Wickets (Barbados)– Kijani Inniss (7)
• Most Wickets (Guyana)– Jaden Ganpat (5)

Most Runs (50 or more)

• Natarie Lavine (Barbados)- 170
• Lomar Seecharran (Guyana)- 161
• Ky-mani Inniss (Barbados)- 103
• Sahid Gajnabi (Guyana)- 87
• Afraz Khan (Guyana)- 79
• Jon-David Greene (Barbados)- 61
• Daniel Johnson (Guyana)- 53

Most Wickets (Three or more)

• Kijani Inniss (Barbados)- 7
• Jaden Ganpat (Guyana)- 5
• Sahid Gajnabi (Guyana)- 5
• Deshawn Ramnauth (Guyana)- 4
• Afraz Khan (Guyana)- 4
• Z’Dari Scantlebury (Barbados)- 4
• Anahri Hinds (Barbados)- 3
• Jaheim Springer (Barbados)- 3
• Jasani Craig (Guyana)- 3