Jamaica’s Brandon Brown has achieved a major milestone at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition, capturing the gold medal in Optoelectronic Technology and sharing the top honour with a competitor from Korea.
The Jamaica Kingsmen have secured their place in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final after edging the Guyana Amazon Warriors by five wickets in a dramatic run chase at Kensington Oval on Friday.
Chasing 207 for victory, the Kingsmen reached their target at 207 for five with three deliveries to spare, setting up a final showdown with the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on Sunday.
Jamaica made an explosive start to the chase, reaching 75 for one during the six-over powerplay. Maaz Sadaqat provided the early fireworks, smashing 41 from just 14 balls, including five fours and three sixes, before falling in the third over.
Kirk McKenzie and Keacy Carty then steadied the innings with a 48-run partnership. McKenzie contributed 34 from 20 deliveries before being dismissed in the ninth over, leaving Jamaica at 90 for two.
Captain Rovman Powell then produced a match-winning performance when his team needed it most. The Player of the Match struck an unbeaten 40 from only 17 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes to guide the Kingsmen across the finish line.
Dwaine Pretorius was Guyana's leading wicket-taker, finishing with two wickets for 47 runs. Earlier, the Amazon Warriors posted 206 for four after being sent in to bat. Shimron Hetmyer delivered a spectacular finish, reaching his third CPL century from the final ball of the innings.
Hetmyer remained unbeaten on 100 from 45 balls, with four fours and eight sixes. Guyana had struggled early, falling to 20 for two in the fifth over, but Hetmyer rebuilt the innings alongside Shai Hope and Quentin Sampson. Hope made 40 from 33 balls, while Sampson added 29 from 17.
Following the victory, Powell reflected on the Kingsmen's journey from a difficult start to reaching the final.
The captain noted that the team lost three matches early in the tournament but gradually built confidence and found consistency as the competition progressed.
Powell said the team would use the next day to review its plans before preparing for the Falcons and their key players in Sunday's championship clash.
For Guyana captain Imran Tahir, the defeat was difficult to accept after his side had posted a competitive total. Tahir acknowledged Jamaica's performance and said the Kingsmen ultimately played the better cricket on the night.
The stage is now set for Sunday's CPL final, with the Jamaica Kingsmen looking to complete their run with a championship triumph.
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Legendary Kingston College footballer Trevor “Jumpy” Harris has died.
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