Revised Scores: Leeward Islands vs. West Indies Academy Practice Match

Day 1: Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs West Indies Academy – A Close Contest Unfolds

The first day of the practice match between the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and the West Indies Academy at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua unfolded as a captivating contest between bat and ball. The Hurricanes, opting to bat first after winning the toss, encountered a challenging start, finding themselves precariously placed at 25 for 5. The top order crumbled under the disciplined bowling of the WI Academy attack, showcasing the vulnerability of the Hurricanes’ batting lineup. However, a resilient innings from Kadeem Henry provided a much-needed anchor to the Hurricanes’ innings. Henry, batting with composure and grit, crafted a valuable knock of 72 runs from 153 deliveries, showcasing his ability to hold the innings together under pressure.

Despite Henry’s efforts, the Hurricanes were unable to post a substantial total, eventually being dismissed for 163 runs in 51.3 overs. Johann Layne spearheaded the WI Academy’s bowling effort, claiming impressive figures of 3 for 26, effectively dismantling the Hurricanes’ top order. Jadiah Blades and Zishan Montara provided valuable support, picking up two wickets each and maintaining pressure throughout the innings. The WI Academy bowlers displayed excellent control and exploited the conditions effectively, preventing the Hurricanes from gaining any significant momentum.

In response, the WI Academy made a steady start to their innings, reaching 108 for 4 at the close of play. While they lost a few wickets along the way, the WI Academy batsmen showed promise and resilience, keeping their team in contention. Ackeem Auguste played a crucial role in anchoring the innings, scoring a patient 27 runs from 51 balls. However, Chamequiko Landerfort’s double strike injected a dose of excitement into the match, providing the Hurricanes with a glimmer of hope.

At stumps, Carlon Tuckett and Mavindra Dindyal were unbeaten on 24 and 18 runs respectively, providing a solid foundation for the WI Academy’s chase on the second day. Their composed batting and promising partnership offered a glimpse of the WI Academy’s potential to overhaul the Hurricanes’ total. The match remained evenly poised at the end of the first day’s play, with both teams having opportunities to seize the initiative.

The first day’s play highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. The Hurricanes, while showcasing individual brilliance through Kadeem Henry’s innings, will need to address their top-order fragility to compete effectively in longer formats. The WI Academy, on the other hand, demonstrated a balanced bowling attack and a capable batting lineup, suggesting their potential to challenge the established teams.

This practice match served as a valuable opportunity for both teams to assess their strengths and identify areas for improvement. The Hurricanes will be keen to learn from their batting collapse and develop strategies to build more robust innings. The WI Academy will aim to capitalize on their first-day performance and maintain their composure to chase down the target. The second day promises to be an exciting encounter, with the outcome hanging in the balance. The WI Academy hold a slight edge going into the second day, but the Hurricanes will be determined to fight back and secure a positive result. The match will provide valuable insights into the readiness of both teams for the upcoming season.