Kraigg Brathwaite

The history-making performance came on the back Shamar Joseph’s seven-wicket haul in Australia’s second innings that spurred the West Indies to a pulsating eight-run victory. Joseph finished with figures of 7-68 from 11.5 overs bowled on the trot. The bowler, playing in only his second Test, was awarded Player of the Series for the 13 wickets he took during the two-Test series.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies, remarked "This victory is a testament to the indomitable spirit of West Indies cricket. It demonstrates our ability to rise above adversity and justly be among the world's cricketing elite.

"Captain Kraigg Brathwaite's exemplary leadership has been instrumental in guiding our team through challenges and victories alike. His resilience, determination, and unwavering dedication to the cause have inspired this young team and every member of our cricketing fraternity."

Dr Shallow also heaped praise upon the 24-year-old Joseph whose performance was key to the West Indies victory, stating, "The stellar performance of debutant Shamar Joseph is a shining example of the talent and potential within our ranks. His remarkable contribution underscores the depth of talent in West Indies cricket and bodes well for the future of our sport.”

As the Caribbean celebrates this historic accomplishment, Cricket West Indies extended its gratitude to its players, coaching staff, and support personnel for their tremendous efforts and hard work. In addition, heartfelt appreciation is offered to the loyal fans, stakeholders, and partners whose unwavering support continues to fuel West Indies cricket.

Cricket West Indies said remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and upholding the rich legacy of West Indies cricket. “Together, we embark on a new chapter filled with promise, excitement, and endless possibilities.”

Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow has moved to shed light on the decision of long-serving West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite to officially step down from the role, opening a new chapter for the regional side as the team prepares for the start of the ICC World Test Championship cycle against Australia this summer.

Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe revealed that CWI will not name an immediate successor as they will need more time to select a suitable candidate.

Three West Indies players were announced by the ICC on Tuesday in the annual awards.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was picked in the Test Team of the Year, while wicket-keeper/batsman Shai Hope and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph earned spots in the One-Day International (ODI) Team of the Year.

Brathwaite averaged 62 in seven Tests during the last calendar year, scoring two hundreds – a monumental 160 against England at Kensington Oval in March and an outstanding 110 against Australia at the Perth Stadium in December, on the eve of his birthday.

Hope maintained his consistency in the ODIs, averaging 35 with three centuries from 21 ODIs. He was among only seven players to pass 700 runs for the year.

The highlight was his knock of 115 in his 100th appearance against India at Queens Park Oval in July.

Joseph was also among the leading wicket-takers in ODIs for the year, with 27 wickets at an average of 25 runs per wicket from 17 matches and featured in all three formats.

“Captain Kraigg Brathwaite continued to lead from the front with a number of world-class batting displays, which characterize his composed and courageous style of play,” said CWI President Ricky Skerritt in praising the West Indies Test captain.

“The major achievement was leading the team to victory over England to capture the Richards Botham trophy which brought glory to West Indies fans.

“Shai Hope also demonstrated his immense talent in front the stumps and agility behind the wickets. He too showcased an exceptionally high level of skill, and a great sense of occasion, with a remarkable century to mark his 100th appearance against India in Trinidad.”

In his praise of Joseph, Skerritt said, “Alzarri I Joseph emerged as the leader of the bowling attack in ODIs and was consistent and persistent all year in all three formats.

“He has matured from an exciting young speedster to a truly world-class pace bowler and is reaping the rewards for the hard work he has been putting in off the field. We applaud all three for their outstanding performances in 2022 and also wish them continued success and growth in 2023 and beyond.”

A total of 18 players have been offered contracts for the upcoming 2021-22 season which runs from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

Meanwhile, Roston Chase, Shamarh Brooks and Shane Dowrich are among several who have lost their retainer contracts. Also losing their contracts were Sunil Ambris, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd and Oshane Thomas.

“Contracts offered for the 2021-22 period sees 18 players being retained, a decrease of four from last year. Jason Holder is the only player to retain his all-format contract due to his strong Test and T20I performances during the evaluation period,” CWI Lead Selector Roger Harper confirmed.

“There are several new players offered red-ball contracts earned by their strong performances during the last period. A number of players were not retained because they did not meet the minimum requirements.”

CWI Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams was pleased for the players who were retained.

“I am happy for all the players who have been offered retainer contracts for the upcoming period. Especially pleasing was the number of players who were awarded first-time contracts in recognition of their performances during the period under review,” he said.

“I know that the 11 players who have lost their international retainers will be striving and fighting hard to get back into the teams and earn their central contracts back next year.  These players, along with our T20 specialists, will ensure that we have genuine competition for places that will push everyone to attain higher standards of performance.”

The evaluation period for the 2021-22 contracts covered performances and statistics from April 1, 2020, to April 1, 2021 (this was also supported by statistics from the previous 2019-2020 evaluation period). This allows for all players to be appraised immediately after the evaluation period and provides a notice period before new contracts on July 1, 2021.

Below are the players who have been awarded retainer contracts.

All-Format Contracts: Jason Holder.

Red Ball Contracts: Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner*, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva*, Shannon Gabriel, Kyle Mayers* and Kemar Roach.

White Ball Contracts: Kieron Pollard, Fabien Allen, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein*, Evin Lewis, Alzarri Joseph, Nicholas Pooran and Hayden Walsh Jr.

*Players offered contracts for the first time in 2021-2022

Players who are no longer receiving international retainer contracts are:

All Format Contracts: Roston Chase.

Red Ball Contracts: Shamarh Brooks and Shane Dowrich.

White Ball Contracts: Sunil Ambris, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd and Oshane Thomas.

 All players who are no longer on International retainer contracts are offered an A* grade Regional Franchise Contract for the following year.

Kavem Hodge, who is one of seven uncapped players in the 15-man squad, did his chances of a debut no harm with 99, before being bowled by spinner Doug Warren agonisingly close to reaching three figures. Hodge was desperately unlucky when a ball spun out of the rough, hit the right-hander's back leg and bounced onto the stumps.

Another uncapped player, Justin Greaves hit an unbeaten 41 to go with his first-innings 65, which helped West Indies to 315-5 declared in their second visit to the middle, and a sizeable lead of 392. However, they were unable to complete what would have been a confidence-boosting victory, as Cricket Australia held firm for the stalemate at 149-5.

Scores: West Indies 251 for 8 (Greaves 65, Hodge 52, Brathwaite 52) and 315 for 5 dec (Da Silva 105, Hodge 99) drew with Cricket Australia XI 174 (Ward 50) and 149 for 5 (Sinclair 3-38)

There do, however, remain some concerns for the Caribbean side, as Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze, the men likely to bat numbers three and four, both failed again. McKenzie only mustered scores of 23 and nine, while Athanaze went without scoring in the first innings and posted only 15 in the second.

West Indies need more out of the pair in the upcoming two-Test series -which will be contested for the Frank Worrell Trophy as part of the ICC Test Championships -given they are likely to field debutants in Hodge and Greaves at numbers five and six.

The CA XI were able to hold on for 39 overs to draw the game. West Indies off-spinning all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, famous for his somersault celebrations after wickets, claimed three wickets for 38 runs. That will help his case for a Test call-up, as he battles with Greaves for a spot in the Kraigg Brathwaite-led side.

Still, with all of seven uncapped players in their 15-man squad, the possibility exists that Head coach Andre Coley will have to play at least three debutants against a formidable Australia outfit at Adelaide Oval

That lack of top-level experience highlights the predicament Test cricket finds itself in, with Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers the latest West Indies players to prioritise Twenty20 leagues over the five-day format.

Having seen Marnus Labuschagne achieve the rare feat of a double and single century in the same match with his 104 not out, the hosts had declared on 182-2 on Saturday.

With 498 to defend, hopes of an easy cruise to the finish line proved more complicated for Pat Cummins' side, with the skipper forced off with a quad strain in the fourth innings.

Though he later returned to the field, the tourists proved to be anything but easy pickings in Perth, with Brathwaite (101 not out) leading a spirited charge in pursuit, to finish the day on 192-3.

Nathan Lyon (2-54) and Mitchell Starc (1-36) made some headway with the ball, but there is still work to do for the hosts to finish the job.

The day had appeared to belong to Labuschagne, becoming only the third Australian and eighth player overall to post a double century and a single century across the two innings of a red-ball match.

However, Brathwaite, ably supported by Tagenarine Chanderpaul (45), gave the Windies a glimmer of hope heading into an intriguing final day.

Two declarations the treat for Australia

Having curtailed their own innings twice, it is a testament to the hosts' dominance that they look absurdly sharp ahead of what will be a busy month that also sees them welcome South Africa for red-ball encounters.

For Labuschagne in particular, with his total score eclipsing his previous best of 274 set against New Zealand in 2020, it proves that his resurgence in Galle against Sri Lanka last month was no fluke, too, in what will be a major relief.

West Indies on brink of defeat

Having seen Australia rack up their second-biggest total against them in the country – behind Sydney in 1969 – it was always going to be a long stretch for the tourists to take this one.

With a full day of cricket ahead, it will take some serious effort from their middle order and tail to either play for a draw or mount a shock result.

Across the four matches played from April 10-13 last week, eight centuries were scored and six five-wicket hauls were recorded.

The biggest knock came during the game between the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and Combined Campuses & Colleges at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground where Amir Jangoo belted the CCC bowling all over the place on the way to a wonderful 218.

His knock, his first century in first-class cricket, came off 238 balls and included 15 fours and 10 sixes.

In that very same innings, 37-year-old Jason Mohammed recorded his 13^th hundred in first-class cricket with 157 off 228 balls including 22 fours.

The game between the Barbados Pride and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Queen’s Park Oval saw the teams combine for four centuries between them.

West Indies Test Captain Kraigg Brathwaite scored the biggest of the match with a marathon 400-ball 189 including 17 fours.

His opening partner Zachary McCaskie, who was a member of the most recent West Indies Test squad on their tour to Australia, hit 12 fours and two sixes on the way to 101 off 148 balls and shared in a 171-run first wicket partnership with his skipper in the first innings.

All-rounder Roston Chase was the third Bajan centurion of the game with an attacking 87-ball 127 including nine fours and seven sixes.

West Indies ODI team member Keacy Carty got the Hurricanes’ lone century in the game with 127 off 233 balls including 12 fours. Carty now has three first-class centuries to his name.

Kemol Savory and Captain Tevin Imlach both brought up centuries for the Guyana Harpy Eagles against the Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park.

Savory made a career best 155 off 309 balls including 16 fours and three sixes while Imlach made 101* off 169 balls including 11 fours and two sixes.

In the bowling department, Roston Chase took 7-67 in the second innings for the Pride against the Hurricanes.

Pacer Gilon Tyson grabbed 5-50 for the Windward Islands Hurricanes in the first innings against the West Indies Academy.

Veerasammy Permaul spun a web against the Scorpions on his way to 5-55 in the first innings.

Pacers Anderson Phillip and Amari Goodridge picked up 5-71 and 5-92 for the Red Force and the CCC, respectively, while Rakheem Cornwall took 5-132 against the Pride.

The tourists were frustrated on day five of the first Test in Antigua when the Windies preserved a draw with six wickets in hand.

But Joe Root's side will get a chance to put that right on Sunday after once more moving slowly in the right direction in the second match.

England closed on 40-0 on day four, 136 ahead and no doubt weighing up how long into the next session they should bat for before pursuing victory.

Root may have to take a risk, given this track has so far favoured the batsmen, with the hosts having resumed on 288-4 in reply to England's 507-9 declared.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was unbeaten on 109 and continued to frustrate England despite the absence of the sort of long-term partner he had found in Jermaine Blackwood the previous day.

There were still 100-ball stands with Alzarri Joseph (19) and Joshua Da Silva (33) before Brathwaite finally departed to Jack Leach and the new ball for 160, leaving West Indies on 385-7.

That total reached 411 before England were able to bat again, with 15 overs yielding 40 runs for Alex Lees (18 not out) and Zak Crawley (21 no).

Brathwaite bats time

England's first-innings total meant the Windies were never likely to win this second Test. Instead, their aim with the bat was to drag their first innings out as long as possible.

Brathwaite could not have done much more on that front, his marathon stint in the middle using up an incredible 489 balls. He has only once faced more balls across both innings of a Test match, when scoring 126 and 85 against Sri Lanka last year.

Outlasted by Leach

Brathwaite's exhaustion could only be matched by the man who finally took his wicket, as Leach bowled 69.5 overs – again, his second-most in a Test after his 73.4 in the first meeting last week.

Despite those efforts, Leach produced the most economical bowling figures of his career, his 3-118 at a rate of 1.68 as he crucially accounted for three of the four West Indies batsmen to make 30 or more.

Pace bowlers Jofra Archer, James Anderson, and Mark Wood are missing from the England team for the second Test, which could be seen to leave the hosts short on firepower.  While Anderson and Wood have been rested with a long summer of Test cricket ahead, Archer has been omitted after breaking the protocol by leaving the series’ bio-secure environment.

Even without the trio, however, Brathwaite believes England has plenty of bowling options to remain dangerous.

“I wouldn’t say we have an advantage, they still have plenty of world-class players.  There is still Broad, Curran, and Woakes, these guys do well, so it will still be challenging,” Brathwaite told members of the media via a Zoom press conference on Thursday.

“I think it will be very challenging because they are all still world-class players,” he added.

In addition to the above-mentioned bowlers, England will also still have the service of all-rounder Ben Stokes with the ball.  Stokes claimed 6 wickets for England in the first Test, which ended in a four-wicket win for the West Indies.  Broad was omitted from the line-up for the first Test.

The Caribbean side’s preparations for the series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), will hit another gear when they engage a young Cricket Australia XI in a three-day, practice match at Karen Rolton Oval, on Wednesday.

Coley, working with a fairly inexperienced 15-man squad which boast seven uncapped players, expressed pleasure with how things are coming together, and is optimistic that his team can find success on this occasion. It has been well over 20 years since West Indies las won a Test series in Australia dating back to a 1992-93 series, which they won 2-1.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite is one of only five members of the squad returning to Australia, along with long-standing pacer Kemar Roach, vice-captain Alzarri Joseph, wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva and opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul. The seven debutants are opener Zachary McCaskie, Tevin Imlach, all-rounders Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Kevin Sinclair, Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph.

“Everybody wants to do well here, whether they have had experience of playing here in the past, or it is their first trip. It has been a good experience watching them get over the jetlag and then get into the work, whatever it has been on a specific day, and the focus has been good,” Coley shared in a Cricket West Indies (CWI) interview ahead of the warm-up game.

The practice match does not have first-class status, which means both teams can rotate more than 11 players through their line-ups, and this provides Coley the opportunity to better observe the new players in action.

“When you think about Test matches, it’s really important that you are able to bat a day to be able to set up the game from a batting standpoint. On the flipside of that it’s pretty simple for me, if you can get the opposition out before the end of a day’s play, so for me, those are easy markers,” he said.

“How we go about it as a batting and bowling group is where it becomes more specific as it relates to the roles and the different skill sets that each player brings to the table. But we are looking to keep it really, really simple, and these are some of the markers that we are looking to get out of the game,” Coley added.

That said, Coley pointed to the progress made in their build up to the Test match. The first Test is scheduled for January 17 in Adelaide, with the second set to take place on January 25 at The Gabba.

“I am happy with the progress we have made. It has been a gradual adjustment (to the conditions), but at the end of the day, regardless of how the pitch plays and what response we get from the pitch when bowling, each player has to adapt to what is in front of him,” Coley declared.

He continued: “Sometimes the pitch has little to do with it, as opposed to being locked in to what is in front of you. I think we have covered that pretty well in the batting, and similarly, adjusting to bowling lengths and what we want to achieve.

“The ability to hit specific areas has been good, as well as getting a general feel for how the ball moves around in the atmosphere from a fielding standpoint, we have been able to spend some time on that.”

It was a day when Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraigg Brathwaite who scored tons in the West Indies’s first innings of 447-6 declared, created another record of being the first opening pair to bat on all five days of a Test match.

Resuming from their overnight score of 21-0 with the West Indies captain on 11 and Chanderpaul on 10. The pair would add another 11 runs before Brad Evans broke the partnership when he bowled Chanderpaul for 15.

Brathwaite was trapped lbw by Wellington Masakadza for 25 which brought Reifer and Blackwood together. They mounted a stand of 107 that was broken when Masakadza picked up his second wicket when he dismissed Reifer caught and bowled for 58.

He picked up his fourth wicket of the match when he had Blackwood caught behind for 57 to end with figures of 3-71.

Evans picked up his second wicket when he had Roston Chase caught behind for 14 after which Kyle Mayers and Joshua Da Silva added another 23 runs before the declaration came.

Mayers remained unbeaten on 17 and Da Silva, nine.

Evans took 2-41.

At tea, Zimbabwe needing 272 for victory were 1-0.

Scores: West Indies 447-6 (dec) and 203-5 (dec) vs Zimbabwe 379-9 (dec) and 1-0.

The 27-year-old Brathwaite was a standout player when the regional team played in England three years ago.  The opener scored 40 in the first Test, before scoring 134 and 95 in the second, forming part of a crucial partnership with Shai Hopes as the West Indies leveled the series.

The player has not been in the best of form since then.  The top batsman averaged just 16 from his last six Tests, to see his overall average drop to 33.  During the recent first-class championship, he was averaging a mere 25 after the seventh round of matches before knocks of 48 and 84 not out against Guyana Jaguars in the eighth round, boosted his numbers.  It has led some to question his inclusion in the squad.  The player, however, insisted he would not focus on either those negatives or dwell on his strong showing in England the last time around.

“I look forward to any series against England but what I’m really focusing on is obviously doing my job on the team and built that foundation, that’s all I’m focusing on,” Brathwaite told members of the media on Wednesday.

“There’s no pressure.  You can’t always do well.  I know my role and it just about going out there and focus on each ball.  The batting hasn’t been going well the last few innings but I’m up for challenge,” he added

“Looking back, you obviously see things that you did well (2017) but that is history.  I have an important job to do here and now and I’m raring to go.”

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who opened the batting with Solozano, also scored a half-century before he retired hurt after he and Solozano had taken Team Brathwaite to 98-0 at lunch. Brathwaite faced 118 balls and struck six fours and a six but did not return to the crease after lunch.

Solozano, who was on 34 at the interval, and Shamarh Brooks took the score to 120 when the latter was dismissed by Nial Smith for 11. Solozano eventually got out to the bowling of Rahkeem Cornwall for 74.

Hope, who had joined Solozano and the crease after Brooks’ dismissal, eventually retired on 71. Kyle Mayers scored 45 before he was dismissed by Jayden Seales for 45.

Joshua Da Silva (10) and Alzarri Joseph (0) are the batsmen at the crease at stumps.

Seales was the best of the bowlers with 2-28.

Harding, the leading bowler in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup this past November, continued his fine form when he snared 5-57 from 17.3 overs and the Red Force were dismissed about an hour after lunch for 209 to give the Pride a first-innings lead of 34 on the second day of fifth-round matches in the Championship.

Brathwaite, the Pride captain, hit 58 and left-handed opener Shayne Moseley, his club-mate, was not out on 49.

The Pride opening pair gave the innings a firm foundation before the wickets of Brathwaite, lbw to pacer Terance Hinds, and West Indies teammate Shamarh Brooks, lbw to left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, fell inside the final half-hour to upset the Pride’s momentum.

When bad light stopped play 10 overs early, the Pride were ahead by 161 at 127 for 2 and looking to put themselves in an impregnable position on the third day, on Saturday.

Earlier, five wickets, three to Harding and two to West Indies pacer Kemar Roach, had Red Force rocking on 88 for six.

Resuming from their overnight total of 52 for one, Red Force were 71 for two, when their captain Yannick Ottley was caught behind off Harding for 12.

The real damage to the reply of the Red Force unfolded when they lost left-handed opener Jeremy Solozano for the top score of 50, Jason Mohammed for 11, as well as Denesh Ramdin and Yannic Cariah for ducks without addition to the total in the space of 19 balls.

The visitors got a few small stands from the lower order, led by 28 from Hosein and 27 from Uthman Muhammad, to fashion a respectable total before Harding brought the innings to a close when he claimed his fifth scalp of Muhammad.

The Harpy Eagles started Thursday’s second day 278-7 off 88 overs with Savory and Imlach unbeaten on 127* and 33*, respectively.

The pair brought the score up to 342 in the 105^th over before Savory fell for a fantastic 155. His knock lasted 309 balls and included 16 fours and three sixes.

Imlach went on to finish on 101*, his second hundred in a row, off 169 balls including 11 fours and two sixes as the Harpy Eagles were eventually bowled out for a massive 424 off 116.3 overs.

Ojay Shields finished with 4-103 off 23 overs for the Scorpions while Peat Salmon took 3-117 from his 29 overs.

Veerasammy Permaul then worked his magic to rip through the Scorpions batting on the way to 5-55 from his 21 overs to leave the hosts reeling at 153-9 off 61 overs at stumps, trailing by 271 runs.

Captain Brandon King has top-scored so far for the Scorpions with 32. Isai Thorne has provided good support for Permaul with 2-19 from his eight overs.

Full Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 424 all out off 116.3 overs (Kemol Savory 155, Tevin Imlach 101*, Gudakesh Motie 56, Ojay Shields 4-103, Peat Salmon 3-117)

Jamaica Scorpions 153-9 off 61 overs (Brandon King 32, Ramaal Lewis 24, Veerasammy Permaul 5-55, Isai Thorne 2-19).

Elsewhere, the Combined Campuses & Colleges trail the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force by 482 runs at stumps on day two at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine.

The Red Force started day two 374-4 and went on to post a formidable 591-7 off 123 overs.

Amir Jangoo, who started the day on 153, ended up making a brilliant 218 off 238 balls including 15 fours and 10 sixes.

Skipper Joshua Da Silva also cashed in with 79 as Amari Goodridge took 5-92 from 22 overs.

CCC were then restricted to 109-5 at stumps. Kamil Pooran led the way with 40 while Anderson Phillip and Terrance Hinds have both taken two wickets, each.

Full Scores: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 591-7 declared off 123 overs (Amir Jangoo 218, Jason Mohammed 157, Joshua Da Silva 79, Amari Goodridge 5-92)

Combined Campuses & Colleges 109-5 off 36 overs (Kamil Pooran 40, Terrance Hinds 2-15, Anderson Phillip 2-29)

At Queen’s Park Oval, Leeward Islands Hurricanes trail the Barbados Pride by 445 runs at stumps on day two.

The Pride, after starting day two 248-3 off 90 overs, went on to post a massive 542-9 declared off 143 overs.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite carried on from his overnight 117 to make a top score of 189 off 400 balls including 17 fours.

Roston Chase was also in blistering form on Thursday, hitting an 87-ball 127 including 10 fours and seven sixes.

Rakheem Cornwall took 5-132 from 33 overs for the Hurricanes.

The Leewards reached 97-1 off 37 overs at stumps. Keacy Carty and Mikyle Louis are the batsmen at the crease for the Leewards on 64* and 25*, respectively.

Full Scores: Barbados Pride 542-9 declared off 143 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 189, Roston Chase 127, Zachary McCaskie 101, Rakheem Cornwall 5-132)

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 97-1 off 37 overs (Keacy Carty 64*, Mikyle Louis 25*)

At Coolidge, the Windward Islands Volcanoes lead the West Indies Academy by 169 runs at stumps on day two.

The Academy, after starting day two 133-7 off 33 overs, were eventually bowled out for 158 in 39.4 overs.

Carlon Bowen-Tuckett top-scored with 36* as Gilon Tyson ended with 5-50 from 13.4 overs for the Volcanoes.

West Indies Test batsmen Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge led the way in the second innings for the Windwards with 89 and 41, respectively, but good bowling from the Academy meant the Volcanoes were 165-7 off 60 overs at stumps.

Joshua Bishop and Ashmead Nedd took 2-30 off 22 overs and 2-32 off 19 overs, respectively, for the Academy.

Full Scores: Windward Islands Volcanoes 162 off 48.3 overs (Shamar Springer 31, Stephan Pascal 26, Joshua Bishop 4-24, Johann Layne 3-30, Kadeem Alleyne 2-20) & 165-7 off 60 overs (Alick Athanaze 89, Kavem Hodge 41, Joshua Bishop 2-30, Ashmead Nedd 2-32)

West Indies Academy 158 all out off 39.4 overs (Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 36*, Kadeem Alleyne 35, Gilon Tyson 5-50, Ryan John 2-40, Shamar Springer 2-65)

Brathwaite was replaced as vice-captain by all-rounder Roston Chase and batsman Nicholas Pooran ahead of the start of the team’s tour of New Zealand.  The opener, who was first appointed the Test vice-captain in 2015, had averaged 21 from his last 15 Tests heading into the England series.

He did show signs of a promised recovery with half-centuries in the first Test, where he scored 65 and 75 in the second.  Brathwaite, however, also had scores of 4, 12, 1 and 19 to average 21.  According to Harper, the decision panel is hoping less responsibility will lead to more consistency from the player.

“We thought it important at this time to allow Kraigg Brathwaite, who has been the vice-captain for a while, to just pay a little more attention, to focus a little more on his batting,” Harper told members of the media from the team’s training base in New Zealand.

“He has not been in the best of form for a little while.  I think he began to get himself together on the England tour, we want him to build on this.  We thought the relieving of the responsibility would allow him to focus some more on his batting.”

Holder crafted a crucial second-innings knock of 58 and took 4 wickets as the team held on for a nail-biting one-wicket win to take the lead.

However, the top allrounder has also gained plenty of attention for his actions off the field, particularly for the mentorship shown to young fast-bowler Jayden Seales.  Seales was one of the highlights of the first match for the Windies after claiming an impressive five-wicket second innings haul.

“Obviously, Jason is the number one all-rounder in the world.  He is very crucial, and he has done a fantastic job, obviously with Jayden.  I see them having a lot of chats,” Brathwaite told members of the media via an online press conference on Thursday.

“All the guys are doing a good job, they all came together but obviously Jason is the number one all-rounder in the world so obviously he brings a lot of value.”

Brathwaite replaced Holder as captain of the team in February, following a successful tour of Bangladesh, the team has since drawn with Sri Lanka and lost to South Africa.

The 28-year-old had shown great promise alongside Shai Hope at the top of the order, scoring 134 and 95 when the West Indies successfully chased down 322 for a memorable win at Headingley in 2017.

Brathwaite then suffered a dip in form, averaging 25.33 in his last 20 Tests ahead of the England series this year.  His struggles included poor showings against India and Afghanistan.  The player did show a flicker of returning to form during the team’s last Test tour against England where he scored two half-centuries.  Brathwaite reached 65 in the first and got 75 in the second but, however, also had other innings scores of 4, 12, 1, and 19 to average 21.

The opener though, looked good in the team’s warm-up matches against New Zealand A, where he scored 246 in the second warm-up match.  The performance has encouraged the West Indies captain.

“It’s good to see our opening batsmen, including Kraigg, getting some scores.  I thought he shaped up really well in England, he good a few half-centuries, got a few starts and he’s starting to look like the Kraigg Brathwaite of old,” Holder told CWI media.

“He’s obviously been a banker for us over the years, he’s had a lean patch over the last couple of years but to see him coming back into stride the way he has.  I was remarking to one of the coaches that the innings I saw in Queenstown, the double hundred, was one of the most fluent innings I have seen from him.  It reminded me of a Test match innings he played in Hobart where he got 97 in the second innings that was one of the most fluent innings I’ve ever seen from Kraigg but this one was similar,” he added.

“For me, his balance looks really good and he is striking the ball really well.  So, let’s hope he can continue in that vein and get us off to some really good starts.”