Since the inaugural Under-21 Regional Cricket in Barbados in 1968, only three batsmen have had the distinct honor of scoring three centuries in a tournament of the three-day format.
Players that cricket fans in the region are likely to associate with this achievement are Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Robert Samuels, Desmond Haynes, Carlisle Best, Henderson Roach and Winslow Ashby. All of the above were undoubtedly regional U-19 standouts as were Leslie Reiter and Dave Joseph who scored their first and second double centuries in regional cricket in this age group.
However, the batsmen who have actually stood out in a regional under-19 tour with three centuries in the three-day format are Nigel Johnson, Sherwin Campbell and current West Indies star Shai Hope.
Fifty years ago playing at home, Johnson was the talk of Benson and Hedges’ 1972 under-19 regional championship.
Johnson began the 1972 tour with an unbeaten 102 against the Combined Islands at the Carlton Ground. In his second match he hit Guyana with 140 at the Kensington Oval in Jamaica.
After failing in his third over against Trinidad and Tobago, Johnson made Jamaica pay with an unbeaten 154 at the Wanderers Ground.
17 years later, Johnson’s compatriot Campbell emulated his legs with three consecutive centuries during the 1989 Northern Telecom Regional U-19 Championship in Guyana.
The young opener started the tour on a disappointing note with two first-ball ducks at Guyana’s national service ground, but overcame the aforementioned setbacks to bounce back with three consecutive centuries starting with an unbeaten 111 against Trinidad and Tobago in Eve Leary Cricket Ground.
He then put the Leeward Islands to the sword with an unforgettable 154 at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda. Playing at the same venue, Campbell’s 117 took Barbados to 385 all out against hosts Guyana.
Fast forward to 23 years later, Hope, who was not born when Johnson and Campbell achieved their respective feats, joined the illustrious duo in 2012. Having captained Barbados at home, Hope showed no reservations about commanding centuries. He started with 101 against the Windward Islands at the Queen’s Park Ground.
Hope then hammered the Leeward Islands with an unbeaten 141 at the Bayfield Cricket Ground, before finishing the tournament with an unbeaten 104 against Trinidad & Tobago at the Kensington Oval.
He also scored 159 in the one-day format. The 2022 Regional U-19 three-day tournament is starting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines later this month. Let’s see who will try to imitate this trio from Bimshire.
