Sabina Park

King, who is leading the team for the first time on his home soil, gave the decent size crowd much to cheer about with a well-played 79 off 45 balls, which assisted the Caribbean side to 175-8 from their allotment, before Matthew Forde (3-27), Gudakesh Motie (3-25) and Obed McCoy (2-15), restricted South Africa to 147 in 19.5 overs.

Despite the absence of the main scoreboard –which has been out for almost four years now –as well as an underprepared tabled press area, King and company ensured that the first international game at the venue since 2022, was a successful one.

The 29-year-old, who is deputizing for compatriot Rovman Powell, attributed his Player-of-the-Match knock, which included six fours and six maximums, to the familiar conditions.

“Obviously it is leading up to the World Cup so we want to be playing good cricket and we got the win today, so we are happy with that and I think we played well all around,” King said in a post-game interview.

“I had the advantage of knowing the conditions well and I know that it is easiest to bat when it’s the new ball so I had to try and get a good start and I executed well. At the mid-way point I think we had 200-220 in mind as we had wickets in hand but it is a difficult wicket to bat on when the ball gets older, but we still managed to get a competitive total on this wicket,” he added.

After being asked to take first strike, King started positively, but lost opening partner Johnson Charles (one) in the fourth over with the score at 36.

However, he found another useful ally in Kyle Mayers, and the added a further 79 runs for the second wicket, with King, the aggressor raising his 10th international half-century off 27 balls in the sixth over when he drove a length delivery from Lungi Ngidi to the midwicket boundary.

The skipper continued to take the South African bowlers to task, before he eventually went, reaching for one of Andile Phehlukwayo that came off the toe of the bat and was caught by his opposite number Rassie van der Dussen.

Still, at 115-2 after 11 overs, West Indies remained on course for a massive total, but then came the familiar collapse as they lost three wickets in quick succession. Mayers was first to go for a 25-ball 34, including three sixes and a solitary four, with Andre Fletcher (one) and Fabian Allen (one) following.

In fact, apart from vice-captain Roston Chase, who made a measured unbeaten 32 off 30 balls, which had two fours and a six, none of the batsmen got into double figures.

Phehlukwayo (3-28) and Ottneil Baartman (3-26) did the damage for South Africa.

In reply, South Africa started with Quinton De Cock driving Matthew Forde’s first ball, a full length delivery, straight down the ground. However, the 22-year-old Barbadian responded immediately as he served up another full length delivery, just around off stump, which forced de Kock into another drive, but the left-hander got a slight edge and Andre Fletcher made no mistakes behind the stumps.

Debutant Ryan Rickelton (six) also had a brief stay in the middle, and from there, the visitors laboured, despite Reeza Hendricks making his 15th T20 international half-century. Hendricks, who was ninth man out with just two balls left of the innings, made a career-best 87 off 51 balls with six sixes and six fours.

Captain Rassie van der Dussen (17) and Matthew Breetzke (19) were the only other South African batsmen to reach double figures.

The second and third games of the series are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, at the same venue, ahead of the much-anticipated June-1-29 T20 World Cup hosted in the Caribbean and United States.

After Ireland won the toss and chose to field, vice-captain Shai Hope and debutant Justin Greaves were tasked to open the innings for the home side.

The pair battled to 18-0 from 5.4 overs before Greaves was removed caught off the bowling of pacer Mark Adair for 7.

Nicholas Pooran joined Hope and the pair brought the score to 36-1 after 10 overs with Hope on 17 and Pooran on five.

They reached 59-1 in the 17^th over before Pooran was dismissed, caught on the boundary off the bowling of off-spinner Andrew McBrine for 13.

Shai Hope was the next batsman to go, caught by wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker off the bowling of medium-pacer Curtis Campher for 29 to leave the West Indies 59-3 early in the 18^th over.

Roston Chase replaced Hope at the crease and didn’t last long, becoming McBrine’s second victim, for one, leaving the West Indies 62-4 after 19 overs with captain Pollard joining Brooks at the crease.

After 20 overs, the Caribbean side were 66-4 with Brooks on five and Pollard on one.

The same pair were at the crease when the West Indies brought up their 100 in the 27^th over with Pollard on 20 and Brooks on 17.

After 30 overs, West Indies were 121-4 with Pollard on 26 and Brooks on 27.

Brooks brought up a debut ODI 50 off 61 balls in the 36^th over to move the score along to 159-4.

Pollard followed suit in the 37^th over, hitting consecutive sixes off McBrine to bring up his 13^th ODI 50 off 51 balls.

With 10 overs remaining, the West Indies were 204-4 with Brooks and Pollard looking comfortable on 70 and 66, respectively.

Pollard finally went for 69 off 66 balls in the 42^nd over to leave the Windies 217-5.

Brooks was dismissed narrowly short of a debut hundred in the 45^th over, going off the bowling of Mark Adair for 93 from 89 balls to leave the West Indies 238-6 with five overs remaining.

Romario Shepherd was the seventh wicket to fall, caught off the bowling of Craig Young in the 47^th over for two to leave the score at 246-7.

More misery followed as Jason Holder went off the very next ball for 13 to leave the Windies 246-8 off 46.5 overs.

Alzarri Joseph was next to go in the 48^th over for a duck to leave the score 253-9.

Mark Adair was the pick of the Irish bowlers with 3-38 from his 8.5 overs and he was supported by Craig Young who recovered from an expensive start to his spell to finish with 3-56 from nine overs.

The Scorpions began day four 123-2 off 43 overs needing a further 296 runs for an improbable victory.

Things started horribly for the hosts when overnight batsmen Brandon King and Kirk McKenzie fell within the first ten over of the day for 15 and 40, respectively, leaving the Scorpions 127-4 off 49.4 overs.

The rest of the wickets fell with little resistance as the Scorpions ended up being bowled out for 206 in 71.1 overs.

Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair were the top bowlers for the Harpy Eagles with identical figures of 3-32 from 16.1 and 19 overs, respectively.

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) & 147-4 off 35.3 overs (Tevin Imlach 44, Kevin Sinclair 36, Derval Green 2-39)

Jamaica Scorpions 153 all out off 61.1 overs (Brandon King 32, Ramaal Lewis 24, Veerasammy Permaul 5-55, Isai Thorne 2-19) & 206 all out off 71 overs (Kirk McKenzie 40, Javaughn Buchanan 39, Peat Salmon 30, Gudakesh Motie 3-32, Kevin Sinclair 3-32).

Kirk McKenzie hit his second hundred in first-class cricket but the Guyana Harpy Eagles ended day three of their fourth-round West Indies Championship fixture against the Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park on Friday in a strong position.

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)

Hodge 171-ball 88 included 12 fours. He and Smith, who scored 77 while sharing an opening stand of 43 with Desron Maloney, put on 130 for the second wicket to lay a solid platform for the Volcanoes.

Hodge also featured in a 44-run with former West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards as the Windwards kept the Scorpions bowlers at bay. He eventually fell to the bowling of Derval Green who was the best of the Jamaican bowlers, ending the day with figures of 3 for 58 from 20 overs.

However, Hodge’s dismissal did not provide an opening for Jamaica as Emmanuel Stewart remained unbeaten on 46 and Keron Cottey (26) will resume batting on Friday morning.

Over at Bridgetown, Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 66 was the foundation for Guyana’s 209 for 8 at stumps as Barbados' Kemar Roach tore through the Jaguars’ batting taking 4 for 28.

There were two wickets each for Johnathan Carter and Jomel Warrican, who were also held up by a stubborn 43 from Kevin Sinclair.

The West Indies top-order batsmen have experienced difficulties with the moisture on the Sabina Park pitch, in the first two games of the series, after losing the toss and being asked to bat by Ireland on both occasions.

“We all know that in the morning time, there’s a lot of moisture in the pitch and it’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get to win the toss in the first two games,” he said.

Still, Hope emphasized the importance of trying to battle through the conditions, regardless of the result of the toss.

“Whether we win the toss or not, we have to do whatever we do, first, to the best of our ability. The key is to make sure we do it better this game because we know it is a series decider,” Hope added.

When asked about the average batting performance in the series so far, Hope once again pointed to difficult conditions.

“I think anyone who understands cricket can see that conditions aren’t conducive to stroke-play. It’s not a free-flowing wicket, especially in the morning at Sabina Park. It’s just important for us as batters to adapt to that as fast as we can. It’s not easy but we still have to find a way,” Hope added.

Finally, he offered possible solutions for the West Indies' batting woes.

“It’s just important for us to find a way, whether it’s putting the bowlers under more pressure or trying to run more singles in the middle period. I also think it’s important for us to maintain wickets in the middle so we can launch at the back-end because, at the end of the innings, the wicket tends to get a lot better,” Hope said.

The third and final CG Insurance ODI between The West Indies and Ireland takes place on Sunday at Sabina Park at 9:15 am Jamaica Time.

The series is currently locked at 1-1.

Ireland’s opening pair of William Porterfield and Paul Stirling got off to a strong start reaching 37 off 4.5 overs before Stirling was dismissed for 21 by Akeal Hosein.

Ireland brought up their 50 in the eighth over with Porterfield on 22 and Andy McBrine yet to score.

Roston Chase removed Porterfield with the final ball of the 10^th over for 26 to leave the Irish on 60-2.

McBrine and Harry Tector formed a decent partnership and brought Ireland’s score past 100 before McBrine was dismissed by Romario Shepherd to become the third wicket to fall for a well-played 35, in the 20^th over, to leave Ireland at 104-3.

Tector (46) and Curtis Campher (11) were the batsmen at the crease when Ireland brought up their 150 in the 29^th over.

Tector brought up his sixth ODI 50 and second in the series off 69 balls in the 31^st over but in the same over was bowled by Hosein.  Curtis Campher was dismissed for 12 to leave the score on 157-4 with Ireland needing 73 more runs to win from 115 balls.

A long rain delay during the 32^nd over meant that upon the resumption of the game, Ireland only needed 11 more runs to win off 28 balls after the overs were reduced from 50 to 36 by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Kieron Pollard removed George Dockrell in the 33^rd over for five, with the Irish needing just three more runs to win before Gareth Delaney hit the winning runs off Pollard to close the innings at 168-5.

Harry Tector finished 54 not out for the Irish against Akeal Hosein’s 2-51 off eight overs.

Earlier, the West Indies recovered from being 111-7 to be bowled out for 229 in 48 overs thanks to a well-made 50 from Romario Shepherd and an aggressive 46 off 19 balls from Odean Smith against a four-wicket haul from Andy McBrine, who was voted man of the match, and a three-wicket haul from Craig Young.

The third and final ODI will take place on Sunday at 9:15 AM Jamaica time at the same venue.

Jamaica’s cricket fans could be treated to seven nights of international cricket this July when Australia arrives for a Test match and two T20 Internationals, but that excitement hinges on the completion of crucial lighting upgrades at Sabina Park.

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) President Dr. Donovan Bennett has unveiled ambitious plans for the J$100 million investment from the Jamaican Government, emphasizing that the funds will be strategically used to revitalize youth cricket and expand grassroots development across the island.

Melbourne, who entered Saturday’s final unbeaten, batted first and posted 245-9 from their 50 overs thanks to a 109-ball 99 from Jamaica Scorpions batsman Andre McCarthy and 47 from all-rounder Shalome Parnell.

National pacer Gordon Bryan took 4-29 from his 10 overs for the soldiers. Rather than chasing 246 for victory, JDF’s slow over-rate meant 15 penalty runs were added to Melbourne’s total, meaning they would need 261 to retain their title.

JDF’s reply got off to the worst possible start with the wickets of Tevin Gilzene (6), Marlon Saunders (14) and Oneil Weir (0) to be struggling at 34-3 in the eight over.

The ship was steadied, however, by a 104-run fourth wicket partnership between Deethmar Anderson and captain Kevin Daley.

Anderson made a top-score of 77 while Daley added 44.

Even when both their wickets fell, JDF were able to keep ahead of the DLS par score, eventually reaching 235-8 off 40 overs, five runs ahead of the par score when the umpires determined the light was no longer suitable for play.

Leg-spinner Matthew Comerie took 3-41 from six overs while Parnell ended with 2-44 from eight for Melbourne.

King, who is captaining Jamaica for the first time in this match, led the way with 77, his 15^th first-class fifty, off 132 balls including 10 fours and one six.

Leroy Lugg also showed good form for the hosts with his fourth first-class half century, 64 off 80 balls including nine fours and a six.

All-rounder Peat Salmon, who got promoted from his usual batting position of eight to six in this innings, repaid that faith with an unbeaten 60* off 157 balls including five fours and a six. Derval Green was the other not out batsman at stumps on 25* as Jamaica reached 326-7 off 82 overs, leading by two runs.

Earlier, openers Carlos Brown and Kirk McKenzie made 33 and 29, respectively.

Joshua Bishop was the most successful academy bowler on the day with 3-85 off 27 overs while Kadeem Alleyne took 2-29 from eight overs.

Full Scores: West Indies Academy 324 all out off 82 overs (Joshua Dorne 83, Jordan Johnson 61, Kadeem Alleyne 52, Joshua James 36, Ojay Shields 3-28, Derval Green 3-38)

Jamaica Scorpions 326-7 off 82 overs (Brandon king 77, Leroy Lugg 64, Peat Salmon 60*, Carlos Brown 33, Kirk McKenzie 29)

Chasing 234 runs for victory, after they bowled out the academy team moments before scheduled close of play on Friday, the Scorpions were found wanting at 89-5 at lunch, with West Indies Test batsman Kirk McKenzie (47) and former captain Jermaine Blackwood (27) the only players to offer little resistance at that point.

However, captain Brandon King and Abhijai Mansingh staged a recovery mission to push the Scorpions to 176-6 at tea. Both batsmen were watchful in their respective knocks, as King topscored with 65 from 127 balls, including five boundaries, while Mansingh also had five boundaries in his 132-ball 42.

With less than 50 runs to get after that solid partnership was broken, Derval Green with an unbeaten 20 and Jeavor Royal, unbeaten on 18, completed the victory shortly before close.

The academy team’s pair of left-arm finger spinners Joshua Bishop and Ashmead Nedd ended with 4-79 and 3-95, respectively.

With the win, the Scorpions moved to 50.2 points in third behind Windward Islands Volcanoes (66.4 points) and Leeward Islands Hurricanes (64.2 points).

Barbados Pride (48.2 points), Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (47.2 points) and Guyana Harpy Eagles (46.2 points), come next, while West Indies Academy (30.8 points) and Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners (20.8 points), at the foot of the standings.

Scores: West Indies Academy 324 (Joshua Dorne 83, Jordan Johnson 61, Kadeem Alleyne 52, Joshua James 36, Rashawn Worrell 25, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 24; Ojay Shields 3-38, Derval Green 3-48, Abhijai Mansingh 2-69) and 281 (Carlton Bowen-Tuckett 53, Kadeem Alleyne 52, Joshua James 36, Ashmead Nedd 30, Jordan Johnson 26, Johann Layne 22 not out, Nyeem Young 21; Abhijai Mansingh 4-70, Peat Salmon 3-55)

Jamaica Scorpions 372 (Peat Salmon 81, Brandon King 77, Leroy Lugg 64, Derval Green 35, Carlos Brown 33, Kirk McKenzie 29; Joshua Bishop 33.2-7-96-6, Kadeem Alleyne 2-29) and 236 for eight (Brandon King 65, Kirk McKenzie 47, Abhijai Mansingh 42, Jermaine Blackwood 27, Derval Green 20 not out; Joshua Bishop 4-79, Ashmead Nedd 3-95).

Meanwhile, Leeward Islands Hurricanes were also victorious, as they defeated Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners by three wickets at Frank Worrell Field in Trinidad and Tobago.

Scores: Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners 273(Amari Goodridge 75, Sadique Henry 73, Romario Greaves 58, Yannick Ottley 24; Daniel Doram 4-37, Jeremiah Louis 3-54, Rahkeem Cornwall 3-86) and 301 (Yannic Ottley 99, Odain McCatty 37, Sadique Henry 32, Zishan Motara 30, Roshon Primus 23; Rahkeem Cornwall 4-62, Jeremiah Louis 3-59).

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 259(Kieran Powell 114, Jeremiah Louis 31, Justin Greaves 29, Rahkeem Cornwall 22, Jahmar Hamilton 21; Romario Greaves 19.2-1-63-5, Zishan Motara 2-14, Jediah Blades 2-50) and 319 for seven (Keacy Carty 61, Justin Greaves 61, Rahkeem Cornwall 42 not out, Jeremiah Louis 30, Jahmar Hamilton 28; Jediah Blades 3-50, Zishan Motara 3-71).

The Scorpions, who began day two 173-6, were eventually bowled out for 221 off 68.2 overs.

Carlos Brown added 12 runs to his overnight 68 before becoming one of Rakheem Cornwall’s three wickets.

Brown’s knock came off 178 balls and included 12 fours.

Jeremiah Louis took 3-34 from his 11 overs while Cornwall took 3-69 from his 22 overs.

Collin Archibald and Daniel Doram also took a pair of wickets, each.

The Hurricanes then replied with 213 all out off 58.3 overs thanks to 62 from Justin Greaves and 53 from Keacy Carty.

Greaves faced 113 deliveries and hit two fours and two sixes while Carty hit eight boundaries in his 80-ball knock.

Peat Salmon starred with the ball for the hosts with 5-50 from 23 overs while Ramaal Lewis took 4-80 from 17.3 overs.

Batting a second time, the Scorpions struggled to 59-4 at stumps, a lead of just 49 runs.

Kirk McKenzie (24*) and Peat Salmon (2*) are the batsmen at the crease.

Jeremiah Louis has taken 2-11 from six overs so far.

Full Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 221 all out off 68.2 overs (Carlos Brown 80, Romaine Morris 42, Jeremiah Louis 3-34, Rakheem Cornwall 3-69, Collin Archibald 2-23, Daniel Doram 2-27) & 59-4 off 18 overs (Kirk McKenzie 24*, Brandon King 19, Jeremiah Louis 2-11)

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 231 all out off 58.3 overs (Justin Greaves 62, Keacy Carty 53, Kieran Powell 41, Jewel Andrew 32, Peat Salmon 5-50, Ramaal Lewis 4-80)

At Coolidge, leaders Windward Islands Volcanoes trail the Guyana Harpy Eagles by 363 runs at stumps on day two.

Full Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 308 off 80.5 overs (Kevin Sinclair 74, Kevlon Anderson 48, Gudakesh Motie 46, Veerasammy Permaul 30, Darel Cyrus 5-67) & 168-1 off 57 overs (Tevin Imlach 88*, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 78*)

Windward Islands Volcanoes 113 all out off 31.5 overs(Tevyn Walcott 41, Isai Thorne 4-38, Ronaldo Alimohamed 3-30, Gudakesh Motie 2-12)

At the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force trail the Barbados Pride by seven runs at stumps on day two.

Full Scores: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 172 off 53.5 overs (Amir Jangoo 93*, Jason Holder 4-47, Chemar Holder 3-28, Shaquille Cumberbatch 3-50) & 100-3 off 36 overs (Kjorn Ottley 39, Amir Jangoo 30*, Jomel Warrican 2-19)

Barbados Pride 279 all out off 87.3 overs (Jonathan Drakes 72, Zachary McCaskie 46, Shane Dowrich 40, Jason Holder 34, Kevin Wickham 34, Kraigg Brathwaite 30, Khary Pierre 3-54, Jayden Seales 2-33, Bryan Charles 2-57)

At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, Combined Campuses and Colleges trail West Indies Academy by 113 runs at stumps on day two.

Full Scores: West Indies Academy 300 all out off 78.3 overs (Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 76*, Johan Layne 63, Joshua Dorne 36, Joshua Bishop 32, Yannic Ottley 5-47, Jediah Blades 3-59) & 44-1 off 11.5 overs (Kadeem Alleyne 32)

Combined Campuses and Colleges 231 all out off 80.2 overs(Demario Richards 59, Zishan Motara 56, Ashmead Nedd 4-51, Joshua Bishop 2-44, Johan Layne 2-60).

After the Risers chose to field first, after winning the toss, the powerful Kings batting line-up continued their excellent form so far in the tournament by posting a formidable 139-4 off their 10 overs.

Royal, a former West Indies Under-19 player and current member of the St. Lucia Kings CPL franchise, was the chief scorer for the Kings with 45 off just 17 balls, including four fours and three sixes.

Lewis, a current member of the Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL, was also in belligerent form with an 18-ball 41, including one four and five sixes, including four in one over off left-arm wrist-spinner Dennis Bulli.

West Indies Test vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood contributed 28 while Andre McCarthy made 17.

Left-arm spinner Warren Campbell was the most economical bowler for the Risers with 1-14 off his two overs.

Despite fighting knocks from Sadique Henry (58 not out) and Delbert Gayle (40 not out), the target of 140 was just too much for the Risers as they finished 109-2 off their 10 overs, 30 runs short of the Kings.

Henry’s innings came off 37 balls and included six fours and four sixes, while Gayle’s knock came off 16 balls and included four fours and three sixes.

Andre Dennis was the pick of the Kings bowlers with 2-15 from his two overs.

After winning the toss and choosing to field first, the Kings were in good form with the ball, holding the United Stars to a modest 82-6 in their 10 overs.

Jamaica Scorpions player, Alwyn Williams, was the only batsman to make a significant contribution for the Stars with 35 against 3-13 off two overs from medium-pacer Oraine Williams and 2-5 off one over from leg-spinner Kenroy Williams.

When it came time for the Kings to chase, McCarthy, batting at number four, was the chief destroyer with his 39 coming off just 12 balls including two fours and four sixes.

Opener Kennar Lewis also contributed 19 as the Kings easily chased their target reaching 83-3 off just 5.3 overs.

Left-arm quick Andel Gordon was the best bowler for the United Stars with 2-21 from his two overs.

The Surrey Kings now have five wins in five games, living up to their tag as favourites.

The Risers struggled to 73-6 off their 10 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Captain and former West Indies pacer Krishmar Santokie (2-7 off two overs) and left-arm spinner Errol Thomas (2-19 off two overs) were the best bowlers for the Titans as only Delbert Gayle (23), Ricardo McIntosh (15) and current West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell (10 not out) were able to reach double figures for the Risers.

Wayne Davis (17), Brian Clarke (15) and Jamaica Scorpions all-rounder Jamie Merchant (15) then ensured the Titans successfully chased the target, reaching 74-6 off 9.4 overs.

Akim Fraser (2-10 off two overs) and Gordon Bryan (2-22 off two overs) tried their best for the Risers who finished with six points from 10 matches and will play in the fifth-place playoff on Wednesday.

The Titans moved into fourth with nine points from 10 matches and will either be in the third-place playoff or fifth-place playoff based on the results of Tuesday’s matches.

Mohammed, who came to the middle with Red Force in a spot of bother, after Ronsford Beaton removed Cephas Cooper (eight) and Jyd Goolie (three), ended Wednesday’s first day unbeaten on 101.

The 37-year-old will resume his innings, which so far includes 11 fours, on Thursday with Vikash Mohan, who was also unbeaten on 20.

Beaton and Veerasammy Permaul, shared the four wickets, as the latter accounted for Amir Jangoo (27) and Tion Webster (49). Beaton so far has 2-39, while Permaul has 2-49.

Scores: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 215-4 (81.2 overs); Guyana Harpy Eagles (Yet to bat)

Elsewhere, Windward Islands Volcanoes are on course to secure first innings honours over Jamaica Scorpions, as they closed day one on 157-2, after restricting their hosts to 159, at Sabina Park.

Johann Jeremiah, on 66, and Sunil Ambris, on 30, will resume batting for the Volcanoes on Thursday’s second day.

After asking the Scorpions to take first strike, Hurricanes seamers Ryan John and Shamar Springer produced clinical bowling efforts to rip through the opponents’ batting line up. John bagged 5-43 in 13 overs, while Springer had 3-53 in 10 overs, including two maidens.

Only Peat Salmon, with a 30-ball 26, including three fours and a six, and Romaine Morris’s 29-ball 35, including four fours and two sixes, had notable scores in the Scorpions’ sub-par effort.

The Volcanoes response started positively, with Kimani Melius (31) and Jeremy Solozano (26), both getting starts, but were unable to push on. Melius, who had six boundaries in his 32-ball knock, was removed by Abhijai Mansingh, while Salmon accounted for Solozano, who had five boundaries in his knock.

However, that was all the success the Scorpions would taste, as Jeremiah and Ambris took the bowlers to task and saw out the day.

Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 159 all out (41 overs); Windward Islands Volcanoes 157-2 (41 overs)

Meanwhile, no play was possible in the contest between Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners and Barbados Pride at Chedwin Park, in Jamaica, due to a wet outfield caused by a ruptured water main.

Batting first after losing the toss, the hosts were able to amass 269 all out from 78.4 overs on Wednesday.

Morris, who got a half century in round one against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, came in with the Jamaicans in a spot of bother at 113-5 in the 40^th over and batted beautifully to finish 97* off 126 balls including 10 fours and three sixes.

Earlier, opener Carlos brown continued his good form over the last two matches with 40 off 105 balls including seven fours while Kirk McKenzie got his first significant score of the season, also making 40 with his coming off 79 balls and including five fours.

Jomel Warrican finished with 5-62 off 27.4 overs while Jair McAllister took 3-69 off 15 overs.

At stumps, Barbados were 15-0 off seven overs with Zachary McCaskie on 13 and Kraigg Brathwaite on one.

Full Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 269 all out off 78.4 overs (Romaine Morris 97*, Carlos Brown 40, Kirk McKenzie 40, Jomel Warrican 5-62, Jair McAllister 3-69)

Barbados Pride 15-0 off seven overs.

Other Scores:

At Warner Park in St. Kitts

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 137 all out off 60.2 overs (Jyd Goolie 30, Collin Archibald 3-28, Jeremiah Louis 3-38, Rakheem Cornwall 2-5, Daniel Doram 2-32)

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 105-1 off 29 overs (Kieran Powell 54*, Mikyle Louis 32)

At Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua

Guyana Harpy Eagles 175 all out off 54.3 overs (Ronaldo Ali Mohamed 30, Matthew Nandu 28, Joshua James 4-43, Johann Layne 2-27, Joshua Bishop 2-31)

West Indies Academy 96-4 off 26 overs (Rashawn Worrell 34, Joshua Bishop 33*, Kevin Sinclair 4-32)

At Chedwin Park in Jamaica

Combined Campuses & Colleges 204 all out off 71.3 overs (Demario Richards 46, Damel Evelyn 43, Darel Cyrus 6-72, Gilon Tyson 3-32)

Windward Islands Volcanoes 0-0 off 0.4 overs

A damaging spell saw Harmison almost single-handedly knock over West Indies at Sabina Park on their way to a 10-wicket victory in the first Test.

It took just 11.3 overs for the then 25-year-old to pick up his seven wickets, conceding only 12 runs in the process and setting up an emphatic victory for England, who were on their way to a first Test series win in the Caribbean since 1968.

Before the series, 6ft 4in right-armer Harmison had shown lots of potential with his combination of pace and swing but struggled for consistency, while a back injury during the winter had also affected him.

The first innings of the match offered no sign of what was to come as the West Indies racked up 311, but everything changed on the fourth day.

England captain Michael Vaughan lined up eight fielders in the slips and Harmison did the rest as a young West Indies side wilted under a fearsome assault.

“To be honest, I’m absolutely speechless,” said Harmison afterwards.

“If you bowl the ball consistently in a good area, you often get a bit of luck. It’s just one of those days and I’m pleased for myself, but I’m not going to get too carried away by it.”

Harmison’s form continued into the rest of the series, with the Durham man achieving figures of six for 61 in the second Test.

It was the beginning of the best spell of Harmison’s career. A year later he played a key role in England’s famous Ashes triumph over Australia, but injuries limited his impact thereafter and his international career ended in 2009.