ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Following are the Official Points Standings after the eighth round of matches which ended on Sunday in the 2017-18 Digicel 4-Day Championship.
Abbreviations: PTS-total points, M-matches, W-won, L-lost, I-incomplete match, T-tied, A-abandoned match, DP-Abandoned match due to dangerous pitch, MR-match referee awarding match, BAT-batting points, BOWL-bowling points, PB-pace bowling points
The West Indies recently concluded disastrous and humiliating tour of New Zealand reconfirmed its weakening Test and ODI status and even more alarmingly highlighted emerging fissures and cracks in its T20 performance. After losing 3-0 in both the test and one-day series, the WI were unable to salvage any pride losing by 47 runs and then 119 runs with one match being washed out.
As a result of their losses, the defending World Champions have slipped to 5th place in latest ICC T20 ranking. Since being crowned World Champions in 2017, the WI have won eight of its 17 matches.
They have lost all their series against higher-ranked teams.
The view that the absence Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Evin Lewis is the reason for the defeats is not acceptable. The strength of any team is strong as its bench.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Guyana Jaguars were confirmed as winners of the 2017-18 Digicel 4-Day Championship, after their nearest rivals Barbados Pride settled for a draw with Windward Islands Volcanoes in their rain-affected match on Sunday.
Jaguars completed a nail-biting, two-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions inside three days in their eighth-round match on Saturday at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, taking them to an unassailable 135 points – with two rounds of games remaining.
It is the fourth straight Headley/Weekes Trophy, symbol of WINDIES first-class supremacy, for the Jaguars, following in the footsteps of previous incarnations of the Pride and Scorpions.
“As you can imagine, it’s a very good feeling for us to win the title for a fourth straight year,” said Jaguars captain Leon Johnson. “I am someone that delves into the history of the game – Barbados would have achieved this in the late 1970s, and Jamaica did it between 2008 and 2012.
“We are only the third team to have achieved something like this in WINDIES first-class history. It is very pleasing to be part of it and to be at the helm for the fourth consecutive year of us winning this title. It is testament to our hard work. We have won it with two matches remaining, which is a feat in itself.”
Guyana Jaguars withstood a late rattle from the Jamaica Scorpions to come away with a two-wicket victory, in an exciting finish on day three of their eighth-round Regional four-day game at Sabina Park yesterday.
Set a target of 135, the Jaguars defied tight and consistent bowling from the hosts' spin attack, on a pitch which continued to show signs of life, to get across the line at 136-8.
Opening batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj led the way for the visitors with an aggressive 40, with support coming from young Keemo Paul who contributed 21 off a mere 11 deliveries.
Red Force vs Hurricanes
Jason Campbell turned batsman to slam an unbeaten 30 and forge an unbeaten 21-run last wicket stand to give the Leewards Hurricanes a thrilling one-wicket victory over the T&T Red Force at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain yesterday.
Chasing 222 runs to win, leg-spinner Imran Khan ran through the Leewards with five wickets, but in the end it was not enough, as Campbell was the star on the day. Leewards slipped to 205 for nine, but Campbell slammed three sixes in the space of seven balls to give the visitors the win. His 30 not out came off 22 balls with three sixes and a four. Pacer Anderson Phillip started well for the Red Force and ripped out two batsmen with only 14 runs on the board. He had the scalps of Montcin Hodge (4) and Kacey Carty (2) and Red Force were in their glee.
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Half-centuries from left-handed openers John Campbell and Assad Fudadin led a Jamaica Scorpions fightback but a clatter of wickets late in the day left leaders Guyana Jaguars firmly in control of their eighth round contest in the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesterday.
Trailing by 77 runs on first innings, Scorpions ended the second day at Sabina Park on 167 for five – just 90 runs ahead. They made an excellent start to their second innings as Campbell stroked 62 and Fudadin, 61 not out, in a fine first wicket stand of 112.
Campbell was his usual aggressive self, stroking nine boundaries in a 68-ball innings while Guyanese Fudadin proved the anchor for Scorpions against his old team, and has so far faced 155 balls and counted six fours.
Red Force vs Hurricanes
Fifteen wickets fell on day two of the contest between Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to leave the round eight Digicel Regional Four-Day match hanging in the balance at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, yesterday.
Resuming the day on 36 for three in the first innings, the Leeward Islands were dismissed for 163 to hand the Red Force a lead of 59 runs. The Hurricanes fought back as the Red Force closed on 143 for eight in the second innings for a lead of 202 runs.
Pride vs Volcanoes
The match between Barbados Pride and Windward Volcanoes in the Digicel Regional Four-Day Tournament at Kensington Oval was evenly balanced at the end of the second day today. The Volcanoes were 241 for 6 in 81 overs needing another 75 runs to surpass the Pride’s total of 316 all out.
The not out batsmen were Kyle Mayers on 30 and Shane Shillingford on 7. Fast bowler Kemar Roach was the best bowler on show for the team as he took 3 wickets from 14 containing overs, including four maidens for 45 runs
