Regional Tournament: Day One, Round Six Update

The fourth of April 2025 witnessed a flurry of exciting cricket matches in the West Indies, with four thrilling encounters unfolding across different venues. Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) faced off against the West Indies Academy, Guyana battled the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands took on Barbados, and Jamaica clashed with Trinidad & Tobago. Each match offered its own unique narrative of close contests, individual brilliance, and dramatic shifts in momentum.

The CCC versus West Indies Academy match saw the Academy post a formidable total of 316 runs, anchored by a scintillating innings of 99 from Teddy Bishop. Bishop fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century, but his knock laid a solid foundation for his team. Chemar Holder spearheaded the Academy’s bowling attack, claiming four wickets for 81 runs. CCC, in their reply, ended the day on a positive note at 35 for no loss, setting the stage for an intriguing contest on the following day.

The Guyana-Leeward Islands match witnessed a see-saw battle. Guyana, after being bowled out for a relatively modest 193, found themselves facing a significant first-innings deficit as the Leeward Islands responded with a robust 335. Keacy Carty (92) and Mikyle Louis (73) were the architects of the Leeward Islands’ substantial total. Guyana’s Ashmead Nedd toiled hard with the ball, picking up five wickets for 91 runs. In their second innings, Guyana showed resilience, reaching 137 for 1, with Matthew Nandu leading the charge with a half-century (53).

The Windward Islands and Barbados engaged in a tightly contested match that swung like a pendulum. The Windward Islands were restricted to 186 in their first innings, a total that appeared below par. Barbados, in reply, could only manage a slender two-run lead, reaching 198. While Matthew Forde (43) and Kyle Mayers (40) made valuable contributions for Barbados, it was Windward Islands’ Larry Edward who shone with the ball, registering impressive figures of 6 wickets for 52 runs. This low-scoring encounter promised a thrilling finish on the subsequent days of play.

The most high-scoring and potentially decisive match of the day was the encounter between Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. Jamaica amassed a commanding 372 in their first innings, thanks to a magnificent unbeaten century by Javelle Glenn (140*). While Nicholson Gordon and Marquino Mindley chipped in with crucial contributions, it was Glenn’s innings that truly defined Jamaica’s dominance. Trinidad & Tobago’s bowling attack, despite the efforts of Terrance Hinds and Anderson Phillip who claimed three wickets each, struggled to contain the Jamaican batsmen. In response, Trinidad & Tobago faltered, managing only 171. Joshua Da Silva top-scored with a resilient 86, but the rest of the batting line-up crumbled against a disciplined Jamaican bowling attack. Mindley and Mansingh were the pick of the bowlers for Jamaica, both bagging three wickets apiece. Jamaica, enforcing the follow-on, further solidified their position by reducing Trinidad & Tobago to 20 for 3 in their second innings, with Shannon Gabriel making early inroads with two wickets for nine runs.

The day’s play across the four matches showcased a blend of individual brilliance and team efforts. Batsmen like Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Mikyle Louis, and especially Javelle Glenn demonstrated their prowess with impressive innings. Bowlers like Chemar Holder, Ashmead Nedd, Larry Edward, Marquino Mindley, and Shannon Gabriel made significant contributions with their wicket-taking abilities. The matches, poised at crucial junctures, promised captivating finishes in the coming days.

The scores and performances on this day underscored the competitive nature of West Indies cricket. The emerging talent on display, coupled with the established players, pointed towards a bright future for the region’s cricketing landscape. The contrasting fortunes of the teams also highlighted the importance of consistent performances across all departments of the game. The stage was set for further dramatic encounters as the matches progressed. From closely fought contests like the Windward Islands versus Barbados game to more one-sided affairs like the Jamaica versus Trinidad & Tobago match, the day’s play offered a rich tapestry of cricketing action. The individual brilliance of several players further enhanced the viewing experience, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the remaining days of these exciting matches. This day of cricket underlined the depth of talent in the West Indies and served as a testament to the enduring popularity of the sport in the region.