Former West Indies Under-19 Captain Kimani Melius struck his maiden century in First-class cricket to put the Windward Islands Volcanoes in a strong position against the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force after day three of their West Indies Championship fixture at the St. George’s Stadium in Antigua on Thursday.
The Volcanoes began the day on 62 without loss after 16 overs, trailing the Red Force by 10 runs with Melius on 39 and Jerlani Robinson on 20.
Robinson added a further three runs to his overnight score before he was dismissed by Khary Pierre in the 19th over, bringing Kavem Hodge to the crease to join Melius.
The pair put the Red Force bowling to the sword with the 22-year-old Melius bringing up his fifty off 73 balls in the 27th over.
Hodge brought up his 14th first class fifty off 116 balls in the 52nd over. The very next ball saw Melius bring up his hundred off 138 balls.
The 69th over saw Melius bring up his 150 off 190 balls, before, nine overs later, Hodge was finally dismissed by Bryan Charles for a 195-ball 80 ending a 209-run second wicket partnership between the pair.
At tea, The Windwards were 282-2, leading the Red Force by 211 runs with Melius unbeaten on 169 and Captain Alick Athanaze on one.
Melius and Athanaze put on a further 43 runs after tea before Melius was finally dismissed LBW by Charles for 192 in the 96th over. His knock came off 269 deliveries and included 18 fours and three sixes.
The Volcanoes ended the day 397-3, leading by 325 runs with Athanaze (49) and Sunil Ambris (42) at the crease.
Scores: Windward Islands Volcanoes 243 off 63.1 overs (Tevyn Walcott 87*, Sunil Ambris 55, Bryan Charles 4-46, Terrance Hinds 4-72) & 397-3 off 108 overs (Kimani Melius 192, Kavem Hodge 80, Alick Athanaze 49*, Sunil Ambris 42*, Bryan Charles 2-92)
Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 315 off 92.1 overs (Amir Jangoo 86, Tion Webster 79, Terrance Hinds 52, Ryan John 5-18, Darius Martin 2-80)
Head coach Merron Gordon and his staff have selected the 20-man squad which will represent Jamaica at the Concacaf U17 Men’s Championship in Guatemala from February 11-26.
He also named four reserves who will continue to train with the team as changes can be made in case of injury, as late as match day minus one.
Gordon’s assistant coaches will be Andrew Peart and Vassel Reynolds while Andrew Sewell will serve as goalkeeping coach.
The rest of the staff reads: Ronald Watson (Kit Man), Wendell Downswell (Technical Director), Lamar Morgan (Physical Trainer), Dr. Edmund Regis (Team Doctor), Remawn Thomas (Team Manager), Alvin Green (Masseur), Tajay Bailey (Physiotherapist), Baron Watson (HOD).
The delegation departs on February 9.
The squad is as follows: Taywayne Lynch (Mount Pleasant Academy), Joshua Grant (Inter Miami FC), Ahir Dixon (Mount Pleasant Academy), Alexavier Gooden (Cavalier SC), Malik Robinson (Unattached), Nashon Bolt (Unattached), Ronaldo Barrett (Cavalier SC), Adrian Reid (Cavalier SC), Malachi Molina (FC Dallas Academy), Brandon Bent (Inter Miami FC Academy), Ja-son White (Unattached), Jordan Mantagal (South Florida Academy), Everald Swaby (Unattached), Jahmani Bell (Phoenix Academy), Dusting Cohen (Vere United FC), Orane Watson (Harbour View FC), Nicholas Simmonds (Richmond United Academy), Adrian Mahoney (Toronto FC Academy), Ashton Gordon (Atlanta United Academy), Dyllan John (Phoenix Academy).
Reserves: Odane Wilberforce (Mount Pleasant Academy), Samir Bloise (FC Prime), Ryan Heron (Orlando City FC), Che-Daniel Gardner (Unattached).
The match between Windward Islands Volcanoes and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force is interestingly poised at the end of day two of their West Indies Championship match at St George’s on Wednesday.
At stumps, the Windwards batting a second time are 62-0, just 12 runs behind after Trinidad and Tobago scored 315 in their first innings in reply to the Volcanoes 243.
Tevyn Walcott top-scored with 87.
Trinidad and Tobago owed their first innings lead to late order 50s from Amir Jangoo, who top scored with 86, Tion Webster’s 79 and Terrance Hinds’ 52.
The trio managed to rescue their side from 82-5 in the 41st over. However, Webster and Jangoo put on 138 for the sixth wicket, which was followed by a 78 run stand between Hinds and Jangoo, which established a lead.
Ryan John was the chief wicket-taker with the impressive figures of 5-18.
At stumps, Kimani Melius is unbeaten on 39 and Jerlani Robinson on 20.
Over at North Sound, Guyana Harpy Eagles were 205-5 at stumps on the opening day of their match against the Barbados Pride thanks to an unbeaten 70 from Matthew Nandu.
Akeem Jordan has so far taken 2-34 while Chiam Holder has snared 2-36.
Meanwhile, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes were in a spot of bother against Jamaica at Coolidge Cricket Ground. At stumps they were 163-6.
Jahmar Hamilton is the top scorer so far but the dangerous Rahkeem Cornwall is not out on 28 and Jeremiah Lewis, 17.
Abhijai Mansingh has taken 2-27 for the Scorpions.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 15-member West Indies Women squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa starting on February 11.
The squad sees the inclusion of three West Indies Under 19 Rising Stars players who recently competed in the first ever ICC Women’s U19 World Cup. They are Zaida James, Trishan Holder and Djenaba Joseph.
Shemaine Campbelle, the wicketkeeper/batter has been named as vice-captain. Experienced all-rounder Stafanie Taylor has been named in the squad subject to a final fitness assessment.
“The selectors have opted for a blend of youth and experience for the upcoming T20 World Cup,” said Chief Selector Ann Browne-John.
“Four senior players who have been out through injury have returned – Stafanie Taylor, Shakera Selman, Chinelle Henry and Chedean Nation.
“We continue the developmental pathway to grow women’s cricket in the region, hence we feel the time is right to include three of the Under 19 Rising Stars in the squad.”
Browne-John added that James, Joseph and Holder have been making great progress.
“Zaida brings both left-hand batting and left-arm orthodox bowling, both of which the team has been missing in recent time,” Browne-John said.
“Djenaba is a batting all-rounder and Trishan, a powerful striker and wicketkeeping option. They have all proven that they can hold their own at this level. We believe the 15 players consist of a good all-round mix and we expect them to be able to compete in this World Cup.”
The West Indies squad features six players, Hayley Matthews, Shemaine Campbelle, Stafanie Taylor, Shamilia Connell, Shakera Selman and Afy Fletcher who became World Champions in 2016.
West Indies have been drawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland and will travel to Cape Town on Friday, February 3, ahead of the start of the tournament, which will begin on Friday, February 10, with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka.
Newlands, Cape Town; Boland Park, Paarl and St. George’s Park, Gqeberha are the host venues for the tournament with both Semi-Finals and the Final being played in Cape Town on February 26.
FULL SQUAD: Hayley Matthews (Captain), Shemaine Campbelle (Vice Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor and Rashada Williams.
T20 World Cup Match schedule
Monday, 13 February: West Indies vs England, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
Wednesday, 15 February: West Indies vs India, Newlands, Cape Town, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
Friday, 17 February: West Indies vs Ireland, Newlands, Cape Town,7pm (1pm Eastern Caribbean/12noon Jamaica)
Sunday, 19 February: West Indies vs Pakistan, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
Jamaica’s youngest Olympic gold medalist Briana Williams has awarded scholarships to three Excelsior High School student-athletes valued at JMD$210,000.
Williams, who moved to Jamaica to train last year, is already dedicated to giving back to the community.
Following a Christmas treat that the 20-year-old Olympic champion staged for children in Montego Bay environs last December, Williams will now provide $70,000 each in scholarships to Shakira Rhoden, Shelly-Ann Taylor and Janelia Williams.
Rhoden and Taylor are members of Excelsior’s reigning Anthrick Corporate Area Development Meet 4x100m relay team.
Kayla Harris, who was also a member of that team, awarded her scholarship to teammate Janelia Williams.
Janelia Williams is an ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships (Champs) silver medalist in the 200m.
The athletes came to Williams’ attention when she read a published interview following the team’s victory at the Anthrick Development Meet in 2022.
In it, they indicated that the multiple Carifta Games gold medalist was a role model.
When Williams read the article, as well as saw an Instagram post with the athletes, she was thrilled,
“I was so honoured when I read the article in the newspaper stating that I inspire these girls. I wanted to meet them, but leave more than inspirational words. I wanted to support their academic journey,” Briana said.
The scholarship was made possible through Briana’s sponsor GraceKennedy Limited and will be disbursed to the school to cover the cost of books, tuition and other necessities for the 2023 academic year.
The Briana Williams scholarship will now be an annual offer to aid student-athletes in their academic and sporting pursuits.
"I am committed to giving back to athletes in Jamaica because I know what it's like. It's not easy being a student-athlete.” She shared.
"My sponsor GraceKennedy and I will make this an annual scholarship to deserving student athletes who showcase their athletic talents and are also having good grades."
She encouraged over 100 members of the Excelsior High track team who were present at the ceremony to remain committed to the sport.
"We are committed to helping the next generation in this sport and I want to encourage you to work hard and don't let anybody quell your dreams,” she said.
"Put in the work, listen to your teachers, your coaches and rewrite your goals and recite them every day and don't give up.”
In 2020, Williams provided 25 tablets to student-athletes forced to attend classes from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also donated furniture and school supplies to educator Stacey-Ann Donaldson who has a reading and homework centre in Rose Gardens, Kingston.
Williams ran the first leg of Jamaica’s gold-medal winning 4x100m effort at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). She also won silver as a member of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Tevyn Walcott scored an unbeaten 87 while Bryan Charles and Terrance Hinds took four wickets each as the Windward Islands Volcanoes and the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force played out an even first day of the opening CWI 2023 West Indies Championship fixture at the St. George’s Stadium in Grenada.
The Red Force won the toss and chose to bowl first on a sunny first day. Their decision was rewarded early as Terrance Hinds removed former West Indies Under-19 Captain Kimani Melius for just four in the third over.
Hinds got his second victim just two overs later, removing Kavem Hodge caught behind for a duck.
Captain Alick Athanaze then joined Jerlani Robinson at the crease and the pair put on 28 runs before Robinson was dismissed by Tion Webster for a patient 14 off 40 balls.
This brought the experienced Sunil Ambris to the crease and he and Athanaze put on 54 for the fourth wicket before Athanaze was dismissed just after lunch for 40.
Barbadian all-rounder Justin Greaves was next in but went quickly for five to leave the Volcanoes reeling at 113-5, bringing Walcott to the middle to join Ambris.
Ambris, who has played six Tests and 16 ODIs for the West Indies, reached 55, his 15th First-class fifty, before falling at the hands of Hinds to leave the Windwards 130-6.
Walcott and Ryan John then combined to fight off the Red Force bowling, putting on 98 for the seventh wicket before their resistance was ended when John was dismissed caught behind off the bowling of Bryan Charles for 36.
The score quickly became 229-8 when Charles dismissed Kenneth Dember for a duck, taking his 100th First-class wicket.
Walcott provided some late hitting before Preston McSween and Darius Martin were both dismissed without troubling the scorers.
In the end, the Volcanoes were bowled out for 243 with Walcott finishing not out on 87, his third first-class fifty and highest score.
Bryan Charles led the way with the ball, taking 4-46 from 17.1 overs while Terrance Hinds took 4-72 off 13 overs.
With Red Force debutant Vikash Mohan unable to open due to injury, Khary Pierre joined regular opener Jeremy Solozano at the top of the order.
The move didn’t work as pacer Darius Martin dismissed Pierre for a duck in the second over.
Captain Darren Bravo and Solozano ensured that the Red Force went into the end of the day with no further wickets lost, ending 50-1 off 21 overs, trailing by 193 runs.
Scores: Windward Islands Volcanoes: 243 all out in 63.1 overs (Tevyn Walcott 87*, Sunil Ambris 55, Terrance Hinds 4-72, Bryan Charles 4-46) Trinidad & Tobago Red Force: 50-1 (Darren Bravo 32*, Jeremy Solozano 18*)
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the new Board of Directors of Independence Park Limited.
The Board will be chaired by Dr. the Honourable Michael Fennell with Mr. David Shirley as Deputy Chairman.
The other members are: Mrs. Annmarie Heron, Assistant Commissioner of Police Terrence Bent, Lieutenant Colonel Eldon Morgan, Ms. Stefani Dewar, Mr. Lenford Salmon, Mr. Carlton Dennis, Ms. Audrey Chin, Mr. Edward Barnes, Dr. Peter Charles, Ms. Shaneek Clacken and Major Desmon Brown.
The Board will serve for a period of two years with effect from 16 January 2023. Independence Park Limited operates, promotes, and manages sports facilities including the National Stadium Complex and Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.
West Indies closed day three of their tour match against Zimbabwe XI in Bulawayo on 82-2, a lead of 477 as they continue to prepare for their upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe.
Resuming from their overnight score of 52-5, in reply to the West Indies' mammoth first innings total of 517, Zimbabwe XI were bowled out for 122.
Timycen Maruma, who was on 15 overnight was eventually dismissed by Motie for 37 while Milton Shumba, who was on nine added only four before he was bowled by Gabriel for 13.
Tafadzwa Tsiga scored an unbeaten 21 and number-11 batter Faraz Akram added 19 managing to get the score past 100 after Zimbabwe XI had slumped to 87-9.
Joseph took 2-12, while Motie returned figures of 2-24. Gabriel, who is returning from an extended break because of injury, finished with 2-21.
Choosing not to enforce a follow-on, West Indies opened with Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Raymon Reifer, in an apparent bid to provide time in the middle for other batters in the squad. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite scored an unbeaten 116 in the West Indies first innings.
However, Reifer failed to take advantage of the opportunity when he got out caught behind off Akram's bowling for one having faced four balls.
Nkrumah Bonner’s poor run of form continued when he was dismissed caught behind off the bowling of William Mashinge for a mere 13.
Chanderpaul, who made 46 in the West Indies first innings, retired not out on 23. Meanwhile, Jermaine Blackwood, who only managed 17 in the West Indies first innings was unbeaten on 34 with Jason Holder not out on two at the other end as the match approaches its fourth and final day.
Akram has 1-4 from his four overs while Mashinge has so far taken 1-6 from the three overs he bowled.
West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva says he is thankful for the opportunity to spend some time in the middle ahead of the side’s two Test matches against Zimbabwe beginning on February 4.
Da Silva made a well-compiled 100 off 149 balls as the Windies scored a massive 517 in their first innings of a tour match against a Zimbabwe XI in Bulawayo. The match was declared a draw on Monday after the West Indies reached 82-2 in their second innings after dismissing the hosts for 122.
“It’s always good when you get to spend some time in the middle in a practice game. I had fun out there,” the 24-year-old Trinidadian said.
“It is a decent pitch. Some balls are staying a bit low but I think the boys have really applied themselves and made the most of the opportunity to get into the middle. The goal set out by Kraigg (Brathwaite) was to bat a day and a half and we did that. Kraigg gave us a target of 450 an hour after lunch on the second day and we got that as well. We ticked all the boxes and, hopefully, we can transfer that into the Test series,” Da Silva added.
Brathwaite got a hundred of his own, stroking 116 off 170 deliveries, and Da Silva commented on his skipper’s form heading into the series.
“Everybody’s seen it. We know the kind of form he’s in and ever since he’s gotten the captaincy his form has taken an uphill climb. It’s been a joy to watch for me and I try to take little things from him and add it to my game,” he said.
Da Silva also commended his bowlers, especially Alzarri Joseph, who he said was able to extract some good pace out of a slow wicket.
“I think Alzarri’s pace opening up really surprised them. He was bowling quite fast on the pitch and it’s not a quick pitch by any means. To see him run in, give his full effort and bowl as fast as he could was really good.”
The West Indies Women ended the South Africa Women’s Tri-Series without a win after suffering an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of India at Buffalo Park on Monday.
Captain Hayley Matthews made a top-score of 34 while under-19 player Zaida James made 21 not out as the Windies Women were restricted to just 94-6 off their 20 overs after India won the toss and chose to field first.
Off-spinner Deepti Sharma starred with the ball for India with 3-11 from her four overs while medium pacer Pooja Vastrakar took 2-19 from her four overs.
The Indians then needed just 13.5 overs to achieve victory, reaching 95-2 thanks to an unbeaten 53-run partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues (42 not out) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (32 not out).
West Indies Women have now lost 10 T20 Internationals in a row. India will take on South Africa in the Tri-Series final on Thursday.
The Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Selection Panel has called up four of the West Indies Under 19 Rising Stars players who competed at the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup to the West Indies Women’s team.
All-rounders Zaida James and Djenaba Joseph, wicketkeeper/batter Trishan Holder and fast-bowler Jannillea Glasgow have been selected as injury cover for Monday’s final Tri- Series match against India Women at Buffalo Park in East London.
Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Shakera Selman and Chedean Nation are currently going through a return to play rehabilitation ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
“The selection panel has included four Under 19 players for the final match of the Tri-Series as potential replacements for injured players,” said Chief Selector Ann Browne-John.
“The four have been training with the senior team in South Africa since the conclusion of the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup.
“We believe this is the perfect opportunity to utilize these four players, two of whom (Joseph and Holder) made their international debut against England last year, to reinforce the squad in the absence of injured senior players. They have been playing in South African conditions for the past three weeks so are well prepared. With final selection of the ICC T20 World Cup squad still to be done, it gives the selection panel another opportunity to see the best players available and select the best combination to participate.”
Holder and Joseph made their West Indies senior debuts against England last December, while Glasgow and James were travelling reserves with the senior team last year.
During the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup, James struck two half-centuries and had a four-wicket haul, whilst Joseph struck an unbeaten 44 not out in their Super6s match against England. Holder had a well-compiled 34 not out off 14 balls against Indonesia and Glasgow was the spearhead of the bowling attack.
The West Indies Women play India Women on Monday 30 January in the final preliminary match at 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica time).
Full squad: Hayley Matthews (Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow (U19), Sheneta Grimmond, Trishan Holder (U19), Zaida James (U19), Djenaba Joseph (U19), Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz and Rashada Williams.
Match schedule:
16 January: warm-up match vs South Africa XI at Beacon Bay- South Africa won by 4 wickets.
T20I Tri-Series Match Schedule
(all matches to be played at Buffalo Park, East London)
21 January: vs South Africa – South Africa won by 44 runs
23 January: vs India – India won by 56 runs
25 January: vs South Africa – South Africa won by 10 wickets
30 January: vs India, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
2 February: Tri-Series Final, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica
Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel and Gudakesh Motie each took two wickets for the West Indies who bowled out the Zimbabwe XI for 122 on Monday to establish a lead of 395 runs on first innings in their tour match in Bulawayo.
Batting a second time the West Indies were at the time of writing 18-1, a lead of 413. Raymon Reifer was the batter out for just one.
In response to the West Indies’ first innings score of 517, Zimbabwe XI, resuming from their overnight score of 52-5, added 70 more for the loss of their remaining five wickets.
Timycen Maruma, who was on 15 overnight was eventually dismissed by Motie for 37 while Milton Shumba, who was on nine added only four before he was bowled by Gabriel for 13.
Tafadzwa Tsiga scored an unbeaten 21 and number-11 batter Faraz Akram added 19 managing to get the score past 100 after Zimbabwe XI had slumped to 87-9.
Joseph took 2-12, while Motie returned figures of 2-24. Gabriel, who is returning from an extended break because of injury, finished with 2-21.
The match concludes on Tuesday.
Joshua Da Silva scored the second unbeaten century of the innings to leave the West Indies in total command against a Zimbabwe XI on Sunday’s second day of their three-day match at Bulawayo.
The Trinidadian wicketkeeper/batsman retired not out as the West Indies amassed 517 from 132.5 overs. The visiting bowlers then struck early and often to reduce the Zimbabwe XI to 52-5 at stumps.
Da Silva’s ton that came from 149 balls and included 13 fours followed that of Captain Kraigg Brathwaite retired on 116 on Saturday.
Resuming on his overnight score on nine and Devon Thomas on 42 with the score on 313-5, the pair added 23 to their partnership of 18 before Thomas was dismissed for 49.
Da Silva and Roston Chase then mounted a seventh-wicket stand of 158 before he retired leaving Chase unbeaten on 87 at the end after Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph were dismissed for four and 11, respectively.
Milton Shumba was the best of the Zimbabwe XI bowlers with 3-80. Donald Tiripano took 2-34.
Chasing the mammoth total, Zimbabwe XI were in early trouble when Joseph had opener Kudzai Maunze caught behind for a duck in the second over of the innings.
He later dismissed Joylord Gumbie in similar fashion for 11 in the sixth over to have Zimbabwe XI struggling on 12-2. Kyle Mayers got among the wickets when he dismissed Tanunurwa Makoni for 13 as the side slipped to 30-3.
Jason Holder made it 31-4 when he trapped Wessly Madhevere lbw for nought and Shannon Gabriel dismissed Tony Munyonga for one to make it 36-5.
Timycen Maruma (15*) and Shumba who is nine not out managed to inch towards the close of play without further loss.
Joseph has so far taken 2-14 for the West Indies while Holder has 1-2 from four overs.
Elaine Thompson-Herah began her 2023 campaign with a victory over 60m at the Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.
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