LIMA, Peru (CMC):
THE CRICKET finals at the 2025 Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru, delivered some high-octane action as Barbados and Jamaica emerged victorious to claim the coveted gold medals in the men’s and women’s competitions, respectively, at the Lima Polo club.
In a tightly contested men’s final, Barbados defended a modest total with grit and discipline to overcome Trinidad and Tobago by 11 runs.
Sent in to bat, the Bajans found themselves in trouble early, struggling against the precise off-break of Vikash Mohan, whose excellent spell of 4 for 22 kept the pressure on.
The innings was salvaged by a crucial 55-run knock from Shian Brathwaite, who was well-supported by Tennyson Roach’s 42, which lifted Barbados to a more competitive 137 for 8 from their 20 overs.
In reply, Trinidad and Tobago’s chase never really gained momentum. Despite starts from Crystian Thurton, 31, and Teshawon Castro, 22, the batting order faltered against a disciplined Barbadian bowling unit.
Deswin Currency, 2-19, and Jerome Jones, 2-25, applied the brakes at critical moments, and T&T ultimately fell short, finishing at 126 for 8.
The women’s final saw a dominant performance from Jamaica, who clinically chased down a target set by Trinidad and Tobago to win by six wickets with 15 balls to spare.
The Jamaican bowlers set the stage for victory, expertly restricting their opponents to a below-par 94 for 8. Medium pacer NeishaAnn Waisome, 2-12, and off-spinner Chedean Nation, 2-21, along with part-timer Kate Wilmott, 2-22, shared the wickets, with only Anisa Mohammed’s resilient 24 not out providing late resistance for T&T.
In response, Jamaica’s chase was anchored by Nation, the tournament’s standout all-rounder. The former West Indies player came in at a delicate moment; her composed, unbeaten 35 steered her side home with authority.
She received solid support from Chrishana McKenzie, 21, and Waisome, 12, as the Jamaican team reached 95 for 4 in the 18th over, sealing a comprehensive victory.
