Hurricanes overpower Volcanoes to claim first place in WI Championships

THE LEEWARD Islands Hurricanes took advantage of the Windward Islands Volcanoes’ shocking loss of form to claim first place, after five rounds of matches, in the 2024 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day Championships.

In fifth round action, from March 20-23, the Hurricanes whipped hosts Jamaica Scorpions by seven wickets at Sabina Park in Kingston while the Volcanoes, who were victorious in their first three fixtures, dropped their second straight game, as they suffered a 255-run hammering by 2023 champs Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Coolidge, Antigua.

At Trinidad, the Barbados Pride spanked hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by eight wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair while, in a clash of the cellar-placed squads, the West Indies Academy took care of Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) by 61 runs at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground, St Augustine.

The Hurricanes moved to the top spot in the eight-team standings with 81.2 points, with the Volcanoes next on 71.6. The Pride are on third spot with 67.4, followed by the Harpy Eagles (66.8), Scorpions (53.4), Red Force (51), Academy (49.8) and CCC (24.2).

Here is a look at the good, and the bad, for each of the performing teams in the fourth round (as far as individual displays are concerned) –

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES

Good: Justin Greaves consistency, at least with the bat. Greaves, who was seen as a surprise selection on the West Indies team for the Test series against Australia in January, notched a pair of half-centuries – 62 and 94 not out. However, his brisk medium pace was hardly considered by captain Rahkeem Cornwall, as he only bowled four overs – all in the Scorpions’ first innings, and returned figures of no wicket for nine runs. There were also handy knocks from Keacy Carty (53), Kieran Powell (41), Jewel Andrew (32) and, in the second innings, Mikyle Louis (57).

Mikyle’s elder brother Jeremiah (3/34 and 3/24) and Cornwall (3/69 and 3/56) also continued their good form this season, with their respective pace and off-spin bowling.

Bad: Fast bowler Oshane Thomas, in the first innings, was noticeably rusty, with figures of 0/46 off eight overs inclusive of five no-balls and a wide. He was slightly better in the second innings, with 2/48 off 12 overs, with two no-balls and a wide.

JAMAICA SCORPIONS

Good: Opener Carlos Brown’s almost carried his bat in the first innings, as he was ninth out for 80, while wicketkeeper/batsman Romaine Morris chipped in with 42. In their second turn at the crease, Abhijai Mansingh led the way with 52 and Kirk McKenzie fought hard for his score of 33.

The pair of off-spinner Pete Salmon (5/50) and leg-spinner Ramaal Lewis (4/80) were the chief destroyers in the Hurricanes’ first innings.

Bad: Jermaine Blackwood, especially his second innings dismissal. Nuff said!!

GUYANA HARPY EAGLES

Good: Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s century. Yes, the critics, myself included, have been wondering when we will see the ‘real’ Tagenarine. He scratched around in the first innings for a score of 13 (66 balls) but, in the second innings, he looked more assured, as he compiled 101 (248 balls, nine fours and a six). It will be premature to say that he is back to his best, but one can hope that this is a sign of things to come.

In the first innings, Kevin Sinclair kept up his good season with the bat with a knock of 74 and Kevlon Anderson contributed 48. Captain Tevin Imlach, who seems reluctant to take up duties behind the stumps, also had a good return-to-form with 107 (243 balls, nine fours).

Isai Thorne (4/38) and Ronaldo Alimohamed (3/30) were the stars in the Volcanoes’ first innings, while another pacer Nial Smith (5/29) and veteran left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (5/47) caused havoc in the second innings.

Bad: The use of Sinclair with the ball – a solitary over in the first innings (conceding a no-ball) and, in the second innings, 0/52 off 12 (less than half the overs bowled by Permaul).

WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES

Good: Tevyn Walcott’s 41 in the first innings, and all-rounders Shamar Springer (69) and Ryan John (41) in the second innings. Also, leg-spinner Darel Cyrus’ 5/67 in the Harpy Eagles’ first innings.

Bad: The top order batting, with openers Kimani Melius and Jeremy Solozano, and the middle-order trio of Kavem Hodge, Sunil Ambris and captain Alick Athanaze. The highest score by the quintet, in both innings, was Hodge’s 21 in the second innings.

BARBADOS PRIDE

Good: In his last game before taking up a stint with English county team Worcestershire, Jason Holder snapped up 4/47 and 4/23, as he bowled the first ball in both innings. In the first innings, Holder got support from his namesake Chaim (3/28 with his off-breaks) and Shaquille Cumberbatch (3/50 with his fast medium pace). Evergreen left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican shone in the second innings, with 6/31.

With the bat, Jonathan Drakes had a useful 72 in the first innings, while there were useful contributions from Zachary McCaskie (46) and Shane Dowrich (40).

Bad: The continued hare-brained use of Raymon Reifer at number three in the batting lineup. He never looked assured, and only scored 12 (44 balls, no boundaries).

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RED FORCE

Good: Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten 93 in the first innings, though Jayden Seales decided to go for glory and sent a shot straight to mid-off, on the first day, with his partner in sight of a valuable hundred. Experienced left-arm spinner Khary Pierre had a decent game with the ball, taking 3/54 and 2/10.

Bad: The second innings meltdown on the third and final morning, from 107/3 to 124, in the space of seven overs.

WEST INDIES ACADEMY

Good: Carlon Bowen-Tuckett’s unbeaten 76 and number 11 Johann Layne’s 63 (43 balls, five fours and five sixes) in the first innings; Teddy Bishop’s wonderfully-crafted 114 (170 balls, 14 fours and a six) and Joshua James’ 58 in the second innings.

On the bowling front, Ashmead Nedd claimed 4/51 in the first innings, while fellow left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop collected 4/93 in the second.

Bad: Despite his potential, captain Nyeem Young could have done more in this match, scoring a total of 19 runs (including an unbeaten 17 in the second innings) and failing to claim a wicket.

COMBINED CAMPUSES AND COLLEGES

Good: Zishan Motara showed grit and determination, after retiring hurt after a blow from fast bowler Layne, to score 56 in the first innings – as a nightwatchman. Wicketkeeper/bat Demario Richards topscored with 59 in the first innings. There were good displays in the run chase, with opener Kamil Pooran leading the way with 88, while Sadique Henry had 63, Yannick Ottley 43, Richards 41 and Damel Evelyn 39.

The left-arm pair of Ottley (5/47 with his finger-spin) and Jediah Blades (3/59 with his pace) were the chief destroyers in the Academy’s first innings, while off-spinner Romario Greaves took 3/76 in the second innings.

Bad: Pacer Kalvin Marcus’ returns of 1/75 off 13 overs in the first innings and 0/50 off 10 in the second.

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