Windward Islands Volcanoes remained in control against Barbados Pride, as they secured first innings honours on day two of their West Indies Championship encounter at Kensington Park, in Jamaica, on Thursday.
The Volcanoes capitalised on the solid platform laid by Jeremy Solozano (86) and Kimani Melius (53) to post a 111-run lead, after their first innings reply to the Pride’s 214, ended at 325. Pride in their second innings, are in a spot of bother at 72-4, trailing by 39 runs, with Akeem Jordan, on four, set to be joined by Shane Dorwich when play resumes on Friday.
Solozano and Melius, who posted 123 on Wednesday’s opening day, added 23 and one to their respective overnight scores on 63 and 52. But Johann Jeremiah (32), Kavem Hodge (26) and Sunil Ambris (72), maintained a steady tempo to the innings, to the point where even with their dismissals, the damage was already done.
Leeward Islands Hurricanes held the upper hand at the end of day one in their second-round Regional Four-Day clash at Warner Park, St. Kitts, and Nevis.
Mikyle Louis led the charge with a maiden First-Class ton while the experienced Jahmar Hamilton produced a fluent 77 to lead Hurricanes to a commanding 299-6.
In just his second First-Class match, Louis followed up his 55 in the first match with a superb innings in which he smashed Antony Adams for a four and then a six to reach the triple-figure mark.
The former West Indies Under-19 player shared a 119-run stand for the fifth wicket with Hamilton, placing the Hurricanes in the ascendency.
In an uncomplicated approach, the 23-year-old struck ten fours and five sixes in his 221-ball innings.
Skipper Rahkeem Cornwall is unbeaten on 39.
All-rounder Ronaldo Alimohamed was the most successful of the Harpy Eagles bowlers with 2-49 from 16 overs, followed by Neiland Cadogan (1-15), Veerasammy Permaul (1-54), Kevin Sinclair (1-66), and Antony Adams (1-69)
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force had a fair start to their West Indies Championship round two tie against West Indies Academy at Conaree Sports Club in St Kitts on Wednesday.
At the close of play, Red Force finished on 128/3 after 48 overs, in reply to WI Academy’s soft first innings knock of 163. They trail by 35 runs.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, WI Academy lost their first three wickets – Kadeem Alleyne (eight), Rashawn Worrell (duck) and Mbeki Joseph (duck) – early on courtesy as fast bowlers Jayden Seales (3/26) and Anderson Phillip (3/63).
Number four batsman Teddy Bishop brought some stability to their innings as he slammed 65 from 74 balls.
However, spinner Khary Pierre (2/16) and fast bowler Terrance Hinds (1/26) also showed worth with the ball as they helped restrict WI Academy to 89/6.
The only other real contributors with the bat were Bishop (J), who finished on 32 not out, and number 11 batsman Johann Layne, who fired 27 from 23 balls. WI Academy were eventually dismissed for 163 in 39 overs.
All-rounder Roston Chase believes captain Rovman Powell has been instrumental in improving the fortunes of the T20 unit, as the buildup continues to this year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and North America.
Speaking following West Indies’ 37-run victory over Australia on Tuesday in Perth, Chase said Powell had instilled “a different vibe” in the camp, which had led to unity and self-belief among players.
The 30-year-old Powell was appointed captain a year ago, replacing Nicholas Pooran who quit after West Indies failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.
Powell subsequently led the Caribbean side to three straight series wins in 2023, defeating South Africa away and India and England at home.
BARBADIAN JONATHAN Carter stroked a polished unbeaten century to guide the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) to 260 for seven on the opening day of their round-two West Indies Championship encounter against hosts the Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park.
The left-handed Carter faced 182 balls and hit 12 boundaries on his way to 108 not out, this after the College men were asked to bat first by Scorpions captain Jermaine Blackwood.
Things didn’t get off to the best of starts for CCC as they lost opener Shaqere Parris for four. Then his opening partner, Kirstan Kallicharan, had his stumps uprooted by pacer Ojay Shields, also for four, with just 23 runs on the board.
Shatrughan Rambaran and Shamarh Brooks then took the score to 50 before the former fell to Shields for 16. Brooks looked intent on getting a decent score, hitting seven fours in getting to 36, but played back to one from off-spinner Peat Salmon and was bowled at 88 for four.
