Defending champions Barbados have made a commanding start to the 2026 Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 50-Over Championship, emerging as the early pacesetters after two rounds of competition.
Back-to-back victories over the Windward Islands and Leeward Islands have propelled Barbados to the top of the standings on 14.2 points, with their impressive performances earning not only the maximum four points for each victory but also valuable bonus points.
Close behind are Trinidad and Tobago on 11.6 points, having also maintained a perfect record through wins over Guyana and the Windward Islands.
The Leeward Islands occupy third position, followed by Jamaica, with both teams claiming one victory from their opening two fixtures. The Windward Islands and Guyana complete the standings in fifth and sixth respectively, with both teams still searching for their first win of the tournament.
Barbados' impressive start has been inspired by captain and opening batsman Gadson Bowens, whose outstanding form with the bat has made him the competition's standout performer thus far. Following his first-round knock of 62, Bowens produced a breath-taking 209 from just 122 deliveries in the second-round clash against the Leeward Islands, powering his side to a formidable 439 for 8.
Second in run aggregate with 137 is Leeward Islands’ Tanez Francis, who recorded half-centuries in both rounds including 82 from 98 balls against Jamaica. The wicketkeeper and opening batsman was a member of the West Indies squad that took part in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia earlier this year.