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Chasing Hooper’s Legacy: Jonathan van Lange joins line of DCC nearly-men
Jonathan van Lange stroke a brilliant half-century in his debut match for West Indies U19s (Photo: CWI Media)
Kaieteur Sports – In the rich cricketing corridors of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), legends are born, nurtured, and occasionally just narrowly miss the mark. The latest to etch his name into that history is youngster all-rounder Jonathan van Lange, who became the second DCC player to fall agonizingly short of emulating club great Carl Hooper’s iconic Youth One Day International (ODI) debut century.
Playing in his first Youth ODI for the West Indies U19s against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, Van Lange put on a masterful display, scoring a vital 83 runs to help the team post 256 before ultimately sealing a 12-run victory. It was a debut performance full of promise, fluent stroke play, composure under pressure, and a glimpse of the potential that selectors and fans alike are eager to see blossom.
Yet, as impressive as it was, Van Lange’s innings still left a hint of what might have been. He finished 17 runs short of the DCC benchmark set by Carl Hooper, who remains the only club member to score a century on Youth ODI debut. Hooper had dazzled with 119 runs against England at Kensington Oval back in January 1985, a performance that cemented his name in West Indies folklore.
Van Lange joins a bittersweet club of DCC players who flirted with history but fell just shy. Trevon Griffith was the first to challenge Hooper’s debut record when he scored an aggressive 84 against Pakistan in the 2010 ICC U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Like Van Lange, Griffith’s innings was electric, but he too fell short of that elusive century.
DCC’s U19 Pipeline: A Legacy of near misses and occasional Glory
Demerara Cricket Club has long been a cradle for cricketing excellence in Guyana. Since Sydney Matthews donned the maroon U19 cap in 1970, a steady stream of DCC talent has emerged onto the youth international scene. The likes of Charles Lloyde, Mark Harper, Andrew Lyght, and Keshore Persaud paved the way for generations to come.
Among the most notable modern alumni are Roger Harper, Keith Semple, Rayon Thomas, Vishal Arjune, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach, all of whom have worn West Indies colours at youth level, with Harper, Paul and Imlach graduating to the senior Test side.
Even among this rich history, there have been impressive performances beyond the debut stage. Leon Johnson, another Guyanese standout, scored 117 in his second Youth ODI against Pakistan in 2005. Similarly, Steven Jacobs produced a commanding 102 against Papua New Guinea at the 2008 Youth World Cup in Malaysia, both just missing the debut-century mark but still proving their mettle at youth level.
What’s Next for Van Lange?
Van Lange’s selection continues DCC’s legacy of producing youth internationals, but the real question now is—can he make the leap? The transition from youth promise to senior performance is a leap that many have failed to make. For every Roger Harper or Keemo Paul, there are several talented players who disappeared into the shadows.
Van Lange’s all-round ability, however, provides an added dimension. If nurtured correctly, he could follow the path carved out by Keemo Paul (another DCC product) who was integral to the West Indies’ 2016 ICC U19 World Cup win and now represents the senior team across formats.
While the dream of replicating Carl Hooper’s Youth ODI debut feat remains unfulfilled for now, Jonathan van Lange’s innings was more than a near miss, it was a statement of intent. In a sport where potential often flounders without support and opportunity, the spotlight is now on Van Lange’s development.
Will he rise to join the likes of Harper, Paul, and Imlach in Test whites? Or will his name become another footnote in DCC’s long list of “what could have been?” Time, as always in cricket, will be the ultimate judge.
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