Scorpions and Hurricanes Dominate WI Championship

Day Two of West Indies Championship Sees Dominant Performances

The second day of the West Indies Championship’s opening round witnessed several compelling contests, with the Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, and Guyana Harpy Eagles all establishing strong positions. The Scorpions built a commanding lead against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, while the Hurricanes amassed a substantial advantage over the West Indies Academy. The defending champions, the Harpy Eagles, also made significant progress against the Barbados Pride.

At Arnos Vale, Jermaine Blackwood’s all-round brilliance propelled the Jamaica Scorpions to a dominant position against the Windward Islands Volcanoes. After converting his overnight century into a 109-run knock, Blackwood showcased his bowling prowess, claiming three crucial wickets to restrict the Volcanoes to 195. The Scorpions’ pace attack, led by Blackwood and Odean Smith, dismantled the Volcanoes’ batting line-up, leaving them trailing by 142 runs on the first innings. Capitalizing on their advantage, the Scorpions further solidified their position, reaching 72 for one in their second innings, extending their lead to a commanding 214 runs by the close of play. Kirk McKenzie and Carlos Brown provided a solid foundation for the Scorpions, unbeaten on 36 and having contributed 30 respectively, setting the stage for a potential declaration and push for victory on Day 3.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force amassed a formidable total against the Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC), declaring their innings at 504 for six. The cornerstone of their innings was a monumental partnership between Jason Mohammed and Jyd Goolie. Mohammed’s marathon innings of 176, coupled with Goolie’s elegant 121, propelled the Red Force to a commanding position. Their 227-run stand for the third wicket effectively neutralized the CCC bowling attack, laying the foundation for a declaration that left the CCC with a mountain to climb. At the close of play, the CCC had made a cautious start, reaching 69 for one, facing a daunting task to avoid an innings defeat.

The Leeward Islands Hurricanes dominated proceedings at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, establishing a massive 347-run lead over the West Indies Academy. Resuming on 290 for six, the Hurricanes extended their first innings total to 358, with Jahmar Hamilton completing a well-deserved 81. Rahkeem Cornwall’s aggressive 49 provided further impetus, despite Joshua Bishop’s impressive seven-wicket haul for the Academy. The WI Academy’s batting faltered dramatically in response, crumbling to 145 all out. Only Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (34) and Rivaldo Clarke (29) offered any resistance as Cameron Pennyfeather and Rahkeem Cornwall shared six wickets between them. The Hurricanes capitalized on their substantial lead, reaching 134 for four in their second innings, with Jewel Andrew’s rapid 57 further demoralizing the Academy.

At the Guyana National Stadium, a captivating contest unfolded between the Guyana Harpy Eagles and the Barbados Pride. The Pride, after posting a respectable 346 in their first innings, thanks to contributions from Matthew Forde (82), Jonathan Drakes (70), and Zachary McCaskie (64), found themselves in a challenging position against a resolute Harpy Eagles batting line-up. Kemol Savory and Kevlon Anderson anchored the Eagles’ response with unbeaten knocks of 95 and 87 respectively, forming a formidable partnership that steered their team to 315 for three at stumps. While still trailing by 31 runs, the Harpy Eagles’ solid batting performance, complemented by Raymond Perez’s earlier contribution of 46, positioned them well to overtake the Pride’s total and establish a first-innings lead on Day 3. The match remained delicately poised, promising an exciting finish.

Overall, the second day showcased dominant batting displays and impactful bowling spells that shaped the course of the matches. The Jamaica Scorpions and Leeward Islands Hurricanes appear poised for victories, while the Guyana Harpy Eagles have laid a strong foundation to potentially overhaul the Barbados Pride. The third day promises to be decisive in determining the outcomes of these closely fought contests. The Scorpions hold a commanding lead, while the Hurricanes are virtually assured of a victory barring a dramatic collapse. The Harpy Eagles, on the other hand, are well-placed to secure a first-innings lead, setting up an intriguing final day. The West Indies Championship has commenced with a flurry of exciting encounters, showcasing the competitive spirit and emerging talent within the region.