Leeward Islands Triumphant in Cricket’s Opening Round

The first round of the West Indies Cricket Board’s four-day championship concluded with a clean sweep of decisive results, setting the stage for an exciting tournament. Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, and Trinidad & Tobago all secured victories against their respective opponents, showcasing a dominant start to the season. The matches featured impressive individual performances with both bat and ball, contributing to the lopsided outcomes and highlighting the competitive spirit of the teams. The upcoming fixtures promise more exciting clashes as the tournament progresses.

The match between Barbados and Guyana saw a thrilling contest, with Guyana ultimately winning by 10 wickets. After Barbados posted a first innings total of 346, Guyana responded strongly with 382 for 9 declared. Looknauth’s five-wicket haul for just 23 runs in Barbados’ second innings, where they crumbled for 112, set up an easy chase for Guyana. They comfortably reached the target of 78 without losing a wicket, showcasing their dominance. This victory puts Guyana in a strong position moving forward in the tournament.

The Leeward Islands Hurricanes delivered a crushing defeat to the young West Indies Academy team, winning by a massive 402 runs. The Leewards posted a substantial first innings total of 358, thanks to half-centuries from Jewel Andrew, Shelton Forbes, and Colin Archibald. The Academy struggled in response, managing only 145. The Leewards continued their dominance in the second innings, declaring at 289 for 9, setting an improbable target of 503. The Academy’s batting woes continued in the second innings, collapsing for just 100 runs, with Walsh and Cornwall sharing nine wickets between them.

Jamaica asserted their dominance against the Windward Islands, securing a commanding 178-run victory. Jamaica’s first innings total of 337 laid the foundation for their win, despite the Windwards’ efforts to stay in contention. Jamaica declared their second innings at 277 for 7, setting a challenging target of 420. The Windwards, however, were unable to mount a significant challenge and were bowled out for 241. Redwood’s impressive seven-wicket haul for 72 runs was instrumental in Jamaica’s victory, demonstrating their bowling prowess.

Trinidad & Tobago showcased their all-around strength with a dominant innings and 75-run victory against the Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) team. Trinidad & Tobago’s formidable batting line-up amassed a massive 504 for 6 declared in their first innings. Their bowlers then took charge, dismissing CCC for a paltry 184. Khary Pierre’s impressive 7-wicket haul for just 40 runs was the highlight of the innings, decimating the CCC batting line-up. Following on, CCC could only manage 245, handing Trinidad & Tobago a resounding victory.

The next round of matches, scheduled for Wednesday, February 5th, promises to deliver more thrilling encounters. Guyana will face CCC in Guyana, while the Leewards Islands will host Jamaica in Antigua. Barbados will play against the West Indies Academy in Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago will take on the Windward Islands in St. Vincent. These matches provide another opportunity for teams to consolidate their positions in the tournament and showcase their talent on the field. The diverse locations for these matches ensure wider engagement and excitement among cricket fans across the region.