Windward Islands Volcanoes

Set 225 to win after the Scorpions shockingly collapse for 60 in their second innings, on day three, the Windwards began the final day on 51 for three.  Following the loss of marque batsman Devon Smith (0), Kimani Meluis (11) and Kaveem Hodge (21), Ambris and Flethcer combined to steady the Volcanoes early wobbles.

The two combined for a 4^th wicket partnership of 105, leaving the Volcanoes just another 76 runs to win before Ambris (56) was dismissed by Jeremy Merchant.  Fletcher, who top-scored with 71, would continue to anchor the team’s charge to victory but was eventually dismissed by Marqino Mindley, with the team in a solid position at 180 for 5.  Keron Cottoy then contributed 24 from 49 balls before being run out, but, in the end, the team got comfortably over the line.  Patrick Harty was the pick of the Scorpions second innings bowlers after claiming 53 for 3.

The Scorpions had looked in full control of the match after dismissing the Winwards for 217 in the first innings, a total still some 164 runs of their total.  A disastrous second innings showing at the crease, however, handed their opponents the initiative.

Merchant (19) and Mindley (10) were the only batsman to get into double figures.  Ryan John, 4 for 26, Preston McSween, 3 for 23 and Kenneth Dember, 3 for 9, did the damage as they ripped through the Scorpions batting line-up.

The 21-year-old Windwards Islands Volcanoes batsman was part of the squad that contested the 2018 Under-19 World Cup.  Since making his First-Class debut in 2019, for the Volcanoes, he had made three half-centuries in 9 matches.

For the upcoming season, the middle-order batsman will once again form part of the Windward Islands squad looking to claim a 5^th Regional Super50 crown.  With plenty of international cricket on the horizon this year, including Caribbean tours for Sri Lanka, Australia, and Pakistan, Stewart knows a solid season could place him squarely in the thoughts of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) selectors.

“I think it’s an important year for cricket in the Caribbean, a lot of teams are touring the Caribbean,” Stewart told Grenada’s Talksport.

“So, I think what I have control over is my performance and once I continue putting the numbers up, then that is the most I can do,” he added.

“As long as I continue playing, I will continue putting my focus on those numbers and keep progressing for the Windwards and hopefully eventually the West Indies too.”

Having seized control of the four-day encounter from day one, the Red Force, through a series of solid all-round batting and bowling performances, wrapped up proceedings and condemned the Volcanoes to their first loss of the season.

Resuming at 10-2 in search of another 176 runs for victory, Red Force lost night watchman Bryan Charles for four, and veteran batsman Jason Mohammed for 14, which left them in a spot of bother.

However, Goolie, who resumed from an overnight score of two, was watchful throughout in his unbeaten 90 off 212 balls, which includes nine fours. He led a decent fifth-wicket partnership with Da Silva to put Red Force on the cusp of victory, before retiring hurt.

From there, West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Da Silva pushed on in an unbeaten 96-ball 53, including six fours, to get his team across the line. Tion Webster, who made an unbeaten 107 in the first innings, only had a small role to play on this occasion, as he ended unbeaten on one run from four balls.

Four Volcanoes bowlers shared the wickets.

Scores: Windward Islands Volcanoes 191 (Alick Athanaze 56, Sunil Ambris 35, Kavem Hodge 28, Tevyn Walcott 28; Anderson Phillip 13-4-37-5, Khary Pierre 3-21, Jayden Seales 2-48) and 288 (Sunil Ambris 71, Jeremy Solozano 70, Shamar Springer 40, Ryan John 34, Alick Athanaze 28; Jayden Seales 3-45, Anderson Phillip 2-65, Khary Pierre 2-67, Bryan Charles 2-67).

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 294 (Tion Webster 107 not out, Jason Mohammed 56, Vikash Mohan 52, Kjorn Ottley 47; Kenneth Dember 22-2-63-5, Shamar Springer 3-76) and 186 for four (Jyd Goolie 90 retired hurt, Joshua Da Silva 53 not out).

Meanwhile, Guyana Harpy Eagles registered their second win of the campaign, as they better a gritty Barbados Pride by 32 runs in their contest at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 436 (Veerasammy Permaul 90, Kevlon Anderson 87, Kevin Sinclair 72, Tevin Imlach 55, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 40, Gudakesh Motie 37, Matthew Nandu 28; Kemar Roach 2-52, Jason Holder 2-52, Jomel Warrican 2-98) and 136 for eight declared (Kevlon Anderson 33, Kevin Sinclair 25, Veerasammy Permaul 24, Kemol Savory 22 not out, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 20; Jomel Warrican 3-32, Jair McAllister 2-21, Chemar Holder 2-40).

Barbados Pride 230 (Jonathan Drakes 101, Shane Dowrich 41; Nial Smith 3-54, Isai Thorne 2-37, Gudakesh Motie 2-38) and 309 all out (Zachary McCaskie 87, Jason Holder 76, Jomel Warrican 40 not out, Shane Dowrich 26, Kraigg Brathwaite 23; Niall Smith 4-87, Veerasammy Permaul 3-66, Gudakesh Motie 3-71).

The Leewards posted 293 all out from their 50 overs after winning the toss.

Greaves, who also hit 58 in their last game against the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, led the way with a masterful 121 off 126 balls including 10 fours and a six while Jahmar Hamilton provided good support with an even 50 off 72 balls, the eighth of his List A career.

Captain Alzarri Joseph and all rounder Terance Ward provided cameos of 24 and 22, respectively.

Pacer Shermon Lewis picked up three wickets in his seven overs, but was expensive, conceding 68.

Leg-spinner Darel Cyrus took 2-52 from his full 10 overs while Shamar Springer took 2-45 from six.

Springer then completed a fine all-round performance with a top score of 58 but it wasn’t enough as the Windwards slumped to another defeat, being bowled out for just 179 in 42.3 overs.

Alick Athanaze got a start once again with 39 and Kavem Hodge hit 38 against Hayden Walsh Jr’s 4-40 from 6.3 overs for the Hurricanes.

Left-arm spinner Daniel Doram provided good support for Walsh Jr with 2-29 from his 10 overs.

Walsh Jr and Doram are now top two on the leading wicket-takers list after five rounds with 17 and 14 wickets, respectively.

The Leewards now have three wins and two losses this season while the Volcanoes have only one win from their five games.

The Windwards entered day four in a dominant position, finding themselves 397-3 with a huge 325-run lead over the Red Force on first innings with captain Alick Athanaze (49) and Sunil Ambris (42) at the crease.

The pair started the day looking for quick runs and both batsmen brought up their half-centuries before Athanaze went off the bowling of Terrance Hinds for 51. Ambris ended up finishing not out on 55 while Justin Greaves (6) and Tevyn Walcott (6 not out) provided late cameos as the Volcanoes declared on 425-5 off 113.4 overs, leaving the Red Force needing 355 for victory.

With Vikash Mohan once again unable to open the innings, the Red Force went with Jeremy Solozano and fast bowler Uthman Muhammed to open the innings.

The move did not work as Muhammad only lasted six deliveries before he was dismissed by Darius Martin for four.

With the score on 43, the Red Force lost their second wicket when skipper Darren Bravo was bowled by Ryan John for 23 in the 13^th over.

On the stroke of lunch, John picked up his second wicket, removing Solozano for 22 to leave the Red Force reeling at 55-3 off 16.3 overs.

After the break, the vastly experienced pair of Jason Mohammed and Yannic Cariah carried the score up to 93 in the 38^th over before Cariah was dismissed by Kavem Hodge for 12.

Tion Webster, who got 79 in the first innings, joined Mohammed at the crease and the pair batted well to put on 49 before the tea break.  Trinidad & Tobago entered tea 142-4 with Webster on 38 and Mohammed on 31.

The pair resumed their fight after the break, needing a further 213 runs for victory.

Mohammed brought up his fifty off 111 balls in the 52^nd over before Webster brought up his half-century off 50 balls in the 53^rd over.

With the partnership on the brink of 100, Webster’s stay was brought to an end for 58 by John in the 58^th over to leave the Red Force 191-5, needing 163 runs to win.

The volcanoes were able to take the wickets of Amir Jangoo (8) and Terrance Hinds (0) before the match came to an end with the red Force on 225-7 off 83 overs.

Mohammed ended not out on 79 from 201 balls while Khary Pierre ended eight not out.

Scores: Windward Islands Volcanoes 243 off 63.1 overs (Tevyn Walcott 87*, Sunil Ambris 55, Bryan Charles 4-46, Terrance Hinds 4-72) & 425-5 off 113.4 overs (Kimani Melius 192, Kavem Hodge 80, Sunil Ambris 55*, Alick Athanaze 51, 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) and 225-7 off 83 overs (Jason Mohammed 79*, Tion Webster 58, Ryan John 3-27, Kavem Hodge 2-54)

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the Harpy Eagles were restricted to just 190 all out off 43 overs.

Openers Anthony Bramble (60) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (30) put on a partnership of 93 before they were both dismissed in the 18^th over. The only other batsmen to reach double figures were Shimron Hetmyer with 37 and Kevin Sinclair with 36 as Justin Greaves took 4-39 from eight overs for the Volcanoes.

Gudakesh Motie and Sherfane Rutherford then combined for six wickets to help restrict the Windwards to 129 all out in 38 overs.

Sunil Ambris (43) and Kavem Hodge (38) did the bulk of the scoring for the Windwards against Motie’s 3-31 off nine overs and Rutherford’s 3-25 off eight overs.

Guyana have now overtaken the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the top of Group A with 12 points from four games while the Windwards remain third on eight, two points behind T&T.

Powell scored 75 and shared in a fourth-wicket stand of 42 with Jahmar Hamilton that helped rescue Hurricanes from 51-3 after Monctin Hodge (6), Akeem Saunders (0) and Devon Thomas were all back in the hutch within 17 overs.

The Leewards slipped again from 93-3 to 121 -6 as Hamilton (12), Powell and Rahkeem Cornwall 14 fell in relatively quick succession before Gore and James came together mounting an unbroken stand of 150 that took the Hurricanes to close of play.

Gore, an American, will resume on Thursday on 87 while James will pick up from 61.

Preston McSween 2-42 and Kenneth Dember 2-66 were the primary wicket takers for the Windwards.

The Pride, who began Saturday 228-5 off 92 overs leading the Academy by 138, carried on to post 308 from 113.3 overs to leave the Academy needing 219 for victory.

Raymon Reifer, who entered Saturday on 43*, went on to make 82 off 160 balls while Demetrius Richards contributed 46.

Ashmead Nedd finished with 3-80 from 33.3 overs to support Joshua Bishop who ended with 3-59 from 30 overs.

The Academy then needed 67.4 overs to reach 219-7 and secure the win.

Openers Rashawn Worrell and Kadeem Alleyne led the way with 63 and 52, respectively, before Carlon Bowen-Tuckett guided his team home with an unbeaten 27*.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite took 3-28 from 10.4 overs while Jomel Warrican took 3-62 from 24 overs.

Full Scores: Barbados Pride153 all out off 39.5 overs (Jonathan Drakes 33, Kevin Wickham 27, Shian Brathwaite 26, Johann Layne 3-23, McKenny Clarke 3-26, Joshua Bishop 2-23, Ramon Simmonds 2-43) & 308 all out off 113.3 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 90, Raymon Reifer 82, Demetrius Richards 46, Kevin Wickham 35, Joshua Bishop 3-59, Ashmead Nedd 3-80)

West Indies Academy 243 all out off 61.3 overs (Ackeem Auguste 76, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 49, Johann Layne 38, Akeem Jordan 4-76, Raymon Reifer 2-32, Jair McAllister 2-40) & 219-7 off 67.4 overs (Rashawn Worrell 63, Kadeem Alleyne 52, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 27*, Kraigg Brathwaite 3-28, Jomel Warrican 3-62).

The game between the Windward Islands Volcanoes and Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Queen’s Park Oval ended in a draw.

On a rain-shortened fourth and final day, the Windwards eventually reached 296-7 off 94 overs, 120 runs short of their target after starting the day 112-1.

Full Scores: Leeward Islands Hurricanes 300 all out off 82.5 overs (Mikyle Louis 100, Jewel Andrew 68, Jeremiah Louis 43, Ryan John 3-67, Gilon Tyson 2-33) & 294 all out off 79.2 overs (Keacy Carty 65, Mikyle Louis 33, Kavem Hodge 3-60, Gilon Tyson 3-91)

Windward Islands Volcanoes 179 all out off 53 overs (Johann Jeremiah 42, Shamar Springer 33, Daniel Doram 6-34, Hayden Walsh Jr 3-21) & 296-7 off 94 overs (Stephan Pascal 63, Johann Jeremiah 51, Shamar Springer 35, Daniel Doram 4-65, Hayden Walsh Jr 2-46).

These results confirmed the Guyana Harpy Eagles as champions of the West Indies Championship for the second straight season. The Harpy Eagles dismantled the Jamaica Scorpions by an innings and 125 runs inside three days at Sabina Park in round seven.

Guyana, who won five straight regional four-day titles from 2015-2019, have two wins and a draw from their three games to lead the table with 49 points.

The Windward Islands Volcanoes find themselves second on 37.8 points thanks to a win and two draws, a similar record to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes who are third with 34.2 points

Three points behind the Hurricanes are reigning back-to-back champions the Barbados Pride after a win and two losses.

The Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, with two draws and a loss, are fifth on 24.8 points while the Jamaica Scorpions are way back in sixth on 15.8 points after two losses and a draw.

Round four will see the Harpy Eagles taking on the Jamaica Scorpions at Providence, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes taking on the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force facing the Barbados Pride at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The Harpy Eagles defeated the Jamaica Scorpions by 228 runs in round four for their third win to move to 68.2 points.

Second-placed Windward Islands Volcanoes kept pace with the Harpy Eagles at the top with a six-wicket win over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Stadium to move to 58 points.

Their opponents in the final round will be third-placed Barbados Pride, who have 50 points after beating the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force by seven wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval. That game will take place at the same venue.

The points table is rounded out by the Hurricanes (41.4), the Red Force (28.6) and the Jamaica Scorpions (21.2). The Red Force will play the Scorpions at the Brian Lara Stadium in the final round.

All games start on Wednesday at 9:00am Jamaica Time (10:00 am ECT).

The Harpy Eagles, who won five straight titles from 2015-2019, have 20 points after hammering defending champions Barbados Pride, who are last with 4.8 points, by 183 runs in round one at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and the Windward Islands Volcanoes are second and third with 10.2 and 8.4 points, respectively, after playing to a draw at the St. George’s Cricket Ground in Grenada.

Fourth is occupied by the Leeward Islands Hurricanes with 7.4 points after narrowly missing out on an outright win over the Jamaica Scorpions at Coolidge. Their round one opponents are fifth with 6.2 points.

Round two gets underway on February 8 with Jamaica facing Barbados at Coolidge, the Leeward Islands facing Trinidad & Tobago at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and the Grenada National Stadium hosting Guyana and the Windward Islands.

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)

Hetmyer scored an unbeaten 67 off 59 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes, as he partnered with Tevin Imlach for an unbroken second-wicket stand of 93 to helped propel Guyana to 155 for 1 from 28.4 overs in reply to the Windwards’ 153 all out.

 Imlach, who scored an unbeaten 37, shared an opening stand of 62 with Chanderpaul Hemaj, who made 41.

Alick Athanaze was the lone wicket-taker for the Windwards with 1-130 from his seven overs.

Earlier, Man-of-the-Match Keon Joseph took 4-24 and Hemraj 2-11 as the Windwards were bundled out for 153 in 45 overs.

Only Kevin Stoute, who scored 41 and Emmanuel Stewart 46 offered any real resistance to the Guyana bowling attack.

Stoute and Stewart put on 60 for the fifth wicket after which Stewart and Kevin Cottoy mounted a 39-run stand for the sixth. Cottoy made 27.

The teams will meet again in the second semi-final on Thursday.

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 Volcanoes started the day 206-2 with Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge at the crease on 105 and 85, respectively.

The pair, who came together with the Volcanoes 10-2, brought their third-wicket partnership up to 246 before Athanaze’s knock was brought to an end on 128.

It was quickly 256-4 when Sunil Ambris only lasted one ball.

During the innings Hodge brought up his fourth first-class hundred, reaching 125 by the time lunch came around.

His partner at lunch was Justin Greaves who was on four as the Windwards were 298-5 off 75 overs, trailing the Hurricanes by 84 runs.

After the break, The Windwards lost the wickets of Hodge for 137 and Tevyn Walcott for 17 to be 314-6 in the 81^st over.

Justin Greaves had to leave the field when he was on eight after being struck on the helmet by a Jeremiah Louis bouncer. He would later return to the crease when the Windwards were 348-9.

On the stroke of tea, the Windwards innings ended on 353-9 off 95 overs, with them just 29 runs short of a first-innings lead, after Shermon Lewis retired hurt after apparently feeling ill on the field. Greaves was left stranded on 12.

Louis took 4-46 while Cornwall took 4-102 for the Hurricanes.

At stumps, the Hurricanes reached 99-5 off 39 overs. Montcin Hodge has, so far, faced 114 balls for his 45.

Earlier, Preston McSween removed Kieran Powell and Akeem Saunders for four and 11, respectively, to have figures of 2-26 off six overs so far.

After bowling down the opponents for 204 on Wednesday’s opening day courtesy of leg spinner Darel Cyrus and seamer Gilon Tyson, who grabbed six wickets for 72 runs and three 32 respectively, Hodge and Ambris continued the Volcanoes rich vein of form on day two, with a solid 192-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Hodge, who made his Test debut against Australia recently, ended the day unbeaten on 130 –his fifth First Class century. He had Tyson, on four, for company, as Volcanoes were 358-8 at stumps, some 154 runs ahead with two wickets in hand.

The 31-year-old Hodge was patient throughout, stroking 13 fours in his 231-ball knock so far, while Ambris, was more aggressive in registering his eighth First Class century, as he smashed 10 fours and four sixes before he went for 120 off 113 balls.

Romario Greaves is the pick of the Marooners bowlers so far with five for 142 from 38 overs.

Scores: Combined Campuses and Colleges 204 (71.3 overs); 358-8 (99 overs)

Having lost their top order –Jeremy Solozano (19), Kimani Melius (13) and Johann Jeremiah (12) –with very little runs on the board, West Indies batsman Alick Athanaze (26) and Hodge started the rebuilding process, before the former was trapped in front by Greaves with the score at 75-4.

However, whatever hope the Marooners had that they would bat again on day two, was dashed, as Hodge and Ambris, literally played them out the game with the breathtaking 192-run stand.

Even after Ambris went to Greaves and three wickets fell for 28 runs, the momentum remained with the Volcanoes, who will be aiming to add a few more runs on Friday’s third day.

Holder starred with 4-47 from 17 overs as the Pride restricted the Red Force to 172 all out from just 53.5 overs after the Red Force won the toss.

Amidst the carnage, Amir Jangoo played brilliantly to finish 93* off 159 balls including 14 fours.

Chemar Holder and Shaquille Cumberbatch provided good support for Holder with 3-28 off 10.5 overs and 3-50 off 11 overs, respectively.

At stumps, the Pride reached 99-4 off 35.4 overs. Zachary McCaskie top scored with 46 while captain Kraigg Brathwaite made 30.

Khary Pierre has so far taken 2-18 from 12 overs.

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)

Barbados Pride 99-4 off 35.4 overs (Zachary McCaskie 46, Kraigg Brathwaite 30, Khary Pierre 2-18)

At Coolidge, leaders Windward Islands Volcanoes trail the Guyana Harpy Eagles by 296 runs at stumps on day one.

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)

Windward Islands Volcanoes 12-0 off four overs

At Sabina Park, the Jamaica Scorpions were 173-6 off 51.4 overs at stumps.

Full Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 173-6 off 51.4 overs (Carlos Brown 68*, Romaine Morris 42, Jeremiah Louis 3-34, Collin Archibald 2-23)

At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, Combined Campuses and Colleges trail West Indies Academy by 289 runs at stumps.

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)

Combined Campuses and Colleges 11-1 off five overs

On Monday Guyana bowled the Windwards out for 153 before cruising to 155 for one with 128 balls to spare. It was a victory that would have boosted the confidence of the Jaguars knowing that they would face the same opponents again in the second of the two semi-finals three days later.

However, Johnson, whose side have not won the tournament in 16 years, say they are not taking anything for granted.

“We are not going to be complacent after a good victory on Monday. They have one of the better players, Kavem (Hodge) returning to strengthen their side,” he said.

“Windwards have beaten us in the semi-finals already, a couple of years ago, so obviously they’re not to be taken lightly. They have quality players in their side and in limited-overs cricket, it’s one day so the team that plays better on the day comes out victorious.”

The captain does concede, however, that his side will be under some pressure to break their 16-year drought in the tournament, having last won the 50-over title in 2005.

“Once you’re representing your country or your region there is always some pressure to perform,” he said.
“Guyana is a cricket-loving country and 16 years without a title, and we have produced some good players over the years, is sad to not win a title in 16 years is sad, but we take it one game at a time. But we first have a semi-final hurdle to cross.”

For tomorrow's semi-final, Guyana will bring in all-rounder Raymon Reifer and leg-spinner Veerasammy Permaul to replace wicketkeeper/batsman Kemol Savory and batsman Assad Fudadin.

Match time between the Guyana Jaguars and the Windward Island Volcanoes is set for 1:30 pm (12:30 Jamaica time) at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Campbell and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood shared 155 for the second wicket to bring Scorpions back into the match in their second innings.

Blackwood made 76 before he was caught behind off pacer Josh Thomas, who had earlier bowled Campbell to end the day with 2-37 from 17 overs.

Nkrumah Bonner, not out on 40, and Paul Palmer Jr, not out on 36, batted through the final 90 minutes before the close to put the Scorpions ahead by 123 to set up an intriguing final day on Sunday.

Resuming from their overnight total of 203 for seven in their first innings, the Scorpions were bowled out inside the first hour with left-arm pacer Preston McSween taking two of the last three scalps to end with 3-41 from 15.2 overs.

Derval Green added 12 to his overnight score for the Scorpions top score of 62 before  Preston McSween dismissed him to bring the innings to a close.

With both teams coming off handsome victories over Jamaica Scorpions and Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners respectively, this was expected to be an entertaining clash, and it has so far delivered accordingly at Kensington Park, in Jamaica.

John, who took a five-wicket haul in his match figures of 6-64 against the Scorpions, grabbed 4-47 in 16 overs to restrict Barbados Pride to 214 in just under 50 overs. Kevin Wickham, who scored 139 in Pride’s first round win, was again atop the batting chart with 74 off 104 balls, including 10 fours.

Solozano, unbeaten on 63 off 110 balls, including eight fours and captain Melius, unbeaten on 52 off 114 balls, including four boundaries, then guided Volcanoes to 123, 91 runs away from first innings honours with all 10 wickets still intact.

Scores: Barbados Pride 214 all out (49.5 overs); Windward Islands Volcanoes 123 without loss (37.0 overs) trail by 91 runs.

Barbados Pride’s batting performance was a stark contrast of their rendition against CCC Marooners, as the top-order, which includes captain Kraigg Brathwaite, failed to impress after being asked to take first strike.

Brathwaite (two), Zachary McCaskie (five) and Shayne Moseley (six), all went cheaply, as John knocked down the stumps of McCaskie and Moseley. Jonathan Drakes tried to repair the innings with Wickham, but was run out for 12, while Roshon Primus (12), also had a brief stay in the middle.

Wickham eventually got some assistance from wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dorwich (37) to gradually repair the damage, before John and Darel Cyrus accounted for both.

Jomel Warrican with a 23-ball 21, was the next best scorer of the Pride’s topsy-turvy innings.

John’s four-wicket haul was supported by Cyrus and Shamar Springer, who ended with 2-41 and 2-61 respectively.

It seems there was nothing the Volcanoes could do wrong on the day and their turn at bat demonstrated just that. The left-hand, right-hand combination of Solozano and Melius frustrated the Pride bowlers, as both patiently and skillfully constructed their innings and, more importantly, laid a solid platform on which they can build, on Thursday’s second day.