Cg United Super50 Cup

Set a winning target of 264 after the Scorpions made 263-9 from their 50 overs, West Indies Academy scored 227-4 from 37.3 overs when rain interrupted play. It was the third straight loss for Jamaica who remain at the bottom of the table.

When rain stopped play Bishop was unbeaten on 67 from 67 balls. He hit three fours and two sixes in his knock that swung the match heavily in favour of the West Indies Academy. Julien also played a crucial role in the win with his 52 from 48 balls while Kevin Wickham contributed a useful 37.

Pace bowler Shalome Parnell was the best of the Scorpions’ bowlers with 2-43.

Earlier, Kirk McKenzie scored a match-high 84 and Captain Rovman Powell, 53, as the Jamaica Scorpions put together an under-par score of 263-7.  Opener Chadwick Walton (17), Andre McCarthy (15) and Jeavor Royal (27) all got starts but failed to capitalize against the bowling of Nyeem Young who was the standout bowler taking 5-49.

McKenny Clarke took 2-27.

Chasing 294 for victory, Barbados were bowled out for 215 in 47.2 overs.

Bravo’s 139 not out that included nine fours and seven majestic sixes, was the foundation on which Trinidad and Tobago built their score of 293 for 6 from their 50 overs. Opener Kjorn Ottley and Tion Webster made invaluable contributions with scores of 36 and 28, respectively, but the bulk of the runs came from Bravo’s bat as no other batter got past 20 runs against the Barbados bowling attack.

Roston Chase was the best of the Barbados bowlers taking 3-50 from his 10 overs while Kemar Smith took 2-46.

Needing 294 for victory, Barbados never really got going. Their batters were beguiled at first by Hosein who dismissed Kyle Mayers for 12 and Zachary McCaskie for 19.  He also dismissed the dangerous Shai Hope for just 18 to finish with figures of 3-31.

Shannon Gabriel had Shamarh Brooks out caught for 33 before Narine took over snaring the wickets of Chase for 48, Roshon Primus for one, Kemar Smith without scoring and Dominic Drakes for nine to return the impressive figures of 4-13 from his 10 overs.

Akeem Jordan in partnership with Jomel Warrican played an entertaining cameo bludgeoning Trinidad’s bowlers for four fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Khary Pierre for a well-played 40 from 47 balls.

Yanic Cariah put the cap on the proceedings when he dismissed Jair McAllister for one, leaving Warrican not out on 19 in the end.

Cariah took five wickets in the Leewards’ innings of 198 and then scored an unbeaten 45 as Trinidad and Tobago reached their target of 199 for the loss of seven wickets but with 26 balls to spare.

Batting first, Leewards got solid starts from their openers Kieran Powell and Justin Greaves. Powell would make 75 from just 48 balls with five fours and six sixes while Greaves compiled 58 from 71 balls. However, it would all fall apart soon thereafter.

Cariah dismissed both openers and the rest of the batting offered little resistance. Jahmar Hamilton (18) and Hayden Walsh Jr (15) were the only other batters in double figures as Cariah finished with the admirable figures of 5-48 from his 10 overs.

 Sunil Narine took 3-30 while Terrance Hinds claimed 2-24 from his four overs as Leewards collapsed to 198 all out in 37.2 overs.

Trinidad lost three wickets early to the bowling of Alzarri Joseph, who took 3-45 and when Kofi James dismissed Kjorn Ottley for nine, Trinidad were in a spot of bother. However, Jason Mohammed helped cauterize the rot with 41, despite Walsh’s bowling efforts which saw him take 3-32.

Cariah’s patient knock of 45 not out from 102 balls put Trinidad back on a path to victory and he got help from Hinds, who scored a solid 21 and Narine who smashed 33 from just 16 balls to get the Red Force over the line in 45.4 overs.

The 31-year-old left-hand batsman stamped his authority on the Harpy Eagles bowlers with a solid unbeaten 48-ball 71, which included seven fours and two sixes. And almost like rubbing salt in the opponent’s wounds, Cariah returned to grab five wickets for a mere 34 runs in five overs to restrict Harpy Eagles to 176 in reply to Red Force’s 290.

Captain Darren Bravo continued his good form with another half-century knock of 51 off 60 balls, while Kjorn Ottley, stroked 52 of 57 deliveries in the Red Force’s daunting total.

Scores: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 290-8 (50 overs); Guyana Harpy Eagles 176 all out (34 overs)

Sent in to bat, Red Force relished the conditions. Though they lost Evin Lewis (16) in the fifth over with the score at 27-1, wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva (27) and Ottley, who had six boundaries and one six in his knock, added 64 for the second wicket.

Ottley was the first to go, caught by Gudakesh Motie off Veerasammy Permaul and Da Silva followed soon after, leaving Bravo and Jason Mohammed (26) to post another 58 runs for the fourth wicket.

Bravo, who had six fours in his innings went caught off Sherfane Rutherford and Mohammed stuck with Cariah in a 45-run fifth-wicket stand before the former was undone by Motie.

Still, Cariah remained aggressive and with small contributions from those in the lower order, saw Red Force to their match-winning total.

Romario Shepherd (2-43) and Sherfane Rutherford (2-55), were the pick of the Harpy Eagles bowling.

Guyana’s response started positively, but was never allowed to bear fruit, as Jayden Seales, Akeal Hosein, Sunil Narine and Terrance Hinds combined to remove Tagenarine Chanderpaul (19), Chandrapaul Hemraj (21), Tevin Imlach (26) and Shimron Hetmyer (24), with an even 100 runs on the board in the 17th over.

From there, it was left for Cariah, bowling his leg spin, to mop up the remaining batsmen of which only Rutherford (30) and Kevin Sinclair (20), offered any real resistance to the onslaught. Narine had the next best Red Force figures of 2-18.

Action in the tournament continues on Sunday with Windward Islands Volcanoes crossing swords with Combined Campuses and Colleges at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground.

The CG United Super50 Cup matches will be played at three venues – Warner Park, the Conaree Cricket Centre, and St. Paul’s Sports Complex from 4 to 25 March with the 50 over matches starting at 10am local time.  

The T20 Blaze will feature five full days of entertainment for the fans from 17 to 25 March at Warner Park. There will be three matches per day – starting at 10am, 2:30 pm and 7 pm (under lights). 

Barbados are the defending champions in both the CG United Super50 Cup and T20 Blaze. The other teams are the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas, Guyana, Jamaica, Windward Islands and hosts Leeward Islands. 

The Tournament starts a busy year for the West Indies Women, which see them play all their international matches away, starting with Pakistan in April, Sri Lanka in June, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October, finishing with a tour of India in December. 

 CWI’s Director of cricket, Miles Bascombe said, "This year's CG United Super50 Cup and T20 Blaze will be a great opportunity to build on what we started in 2023, with the creation of the West Indies Women’s Academy and the commendable performance of the Under 19 Women’s team in the historic inaugural ICC Women’s U19 Cricket World Cup last year. 2024 is a packed year in the women’s calendar with three away bi-lateral series in Asia along with an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The ladies have the perfect opportunity to put their names forward for selection into any of these squads by their performances in the CG United Super50 and T20 Blaze tournaments. We are all looking forward to some scintillating performances over in St. Kitts."

Matches will be streamed LIVE on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel with live scorecards and ball-by-ball scoring on the Windiescricket.com live match centre.

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE

CG United Super50 Cup – play starts at 10am

Round 1: Monday 4 March

Leeward Islands vs Guyana 

Barbados vs Jamaica  

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Windward Islands 

Round 2: Wednesday 6 March

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica 

Guyana vs Windward Islands 

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Barbados

Round 3: Friday 8 March

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Jamaica 

Guyana vs Barbados 

Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands 

Round 4: Monday 11 March

Jamaica vs Windward Islands 

Guyana vs Trinidad & Tobago Divas 

Barbados vs Leeward Islands 

Round 5: Wednesday 13 March

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Leeward Islands

Jamaica vs Guyana

Barbados vs Windward Islands 

CWI T20 Blaze (all matches played at Warner Park)

Round 1: Sunday 17 March

Leeward Islands vs Barbados – 10am

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Guyana – 2:30:pm

Jamaica vs Windward Islands– 7pm

Round 2: Tuesday 19 March

Windward Islands vs Barbados – 10am

Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago Divas – 2:30pm

Jamaica vs Guyana – 7pm

Round 3: Thursday 21 March

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Windward Islands – 10am

Jamaica vs Barbados – 2:30pm

Guyana vs Leeward Islands – 7pm

Round 4: Saturday 23 March

Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago Divas – 10am

Guyana vs Barbados – 2:30pm

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands – 7pm

Round 5: Monday 25 March

Windward Islands vs Guyana – 10am

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica – 2:30pm

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Barbados – 7pm

In a game that was eventually reduced to 47 overs per side due to multiple rain delays, the Scorpions, after winning the toss, were bowled out for 181 with one ball to spare.

A number of Jamaica batsmen were able to get starts but none were able to carry on and get a big enough score to put pressure on the Harpy Eagles.

Brad Barnes was the highest scorer with 36 while Rovman Powell (33), Chadwick Walton (26), Andre McCarthy (23), Odean Smith (20) and Nkrumah Bonner (20) all got starts.

Nial Smith led the way with the ball for Guyana with 3-26 from 8.5 overs while Kevin Sinclair took 3-48 from 10 overs.

Guyana then needed only 39 overs to reach 184-3. The successful chase was led by half centuries from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer.

Chanderpaul led the way with 77 off 110 balls, his highest List A score, while Hetmyer finished not out on 62 off 53 balls including five fours and two sixes.

Captain Tevin Imlach provided good support with 30. Shalome Parnell took 2-26 off six overs for the Scorpions whose season now comes to an end with six losses and one no result in seven games.

The Harpy Eagles will now join the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and the Barbados Pride in the semi-finals.

Fans will get the chance to see the two best teams in the tournament after Trinidad & Tobago Red Force beat Guyana Harpy Eagles and Leeward Islands Hurricanes beat Barbados Pride in the two semi-finals. To add to the excitement there is the incentive of seeing Sunil Narine in his final match in Trinidad & Tobago Red Force colors. Earlier this week the off-spinner announced that he will be retiring from List A and international cricket following the conclusion of the CG United Super50 Cup.

A number of West Indies internationals will feature in the final 50-over match before England arrive for the CG United ODI Series and T20I Series starting on 3 December. The Leeward Islands squad features captain Alzarri Joseph, Keacy Carty, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Justin Greaves, Kieran Powell, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh Jr. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are captained by batsman Darren Bravo and their squad includes: Yannic Carriah, Shannon Gabriel, Akeal Hosein, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Joshua Da Silva, Nicholas Pooran and Jayden Seales.

Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial Director said: “This is exciting news for our fans as we have opened the gates to have them enter for free and see the finale of the CG United Super50 Cup. We have seen three weeks of action on the field and we expect an exciting contest on Saturday to crown the CG United Super50 Champions. Also, this is a great opportunity for the home Trini supporters and fans of Sunil to see him in action in his Trinidad and Tobago Red Force jersey for the final time and give him a fitting send off.”

The day/night match starts at 1pm (12 noon Jamaica) and will be televised live on ESPN. Live ball-by-ball scoring will be available in the windiescricket.com Match Centre.

With the region’s marquee List A tournament set to bowl off on Tuesday, there is the incentive for the champions to take home a top prize of US$100,000 as well as the Sir Clive Lloyd trophy when they win the grand final on Saturday 11 November under lights at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

The losing finalists will receive US$50,000 while the team that tops the points table in the league phase will also get US$50,000. This is the biggest prize money in the history of the tournament.

Dr Kishore Shallow, President of CWI said: “The aim is to incentivize our cricketers, which will ultimately result in more intense and competitive cricket. We expect this along with other developmental programs will help to close the gap between international cricket and our regional tournaments. These new prize monies represent a significant increase in the reward purse for teams in regional cricket. We firmly believe this will act as a fillip to players’ performances and their pursuit of excellence. This is part of our investment in the game and those who fly the flag on the field.”

The increase also extends to all senior men’s and women’s tournaments. There is a big boost in the West Indies Championship that will be played in the first half of 2024. The champions of this traditional “red ball” four-day, first-class competition will win US$250,000. The second-placed team will receive US$100,000.

There is an increase in winnings for the Women’s CG United Super50 Cup and the T20 Blaze. The winners of the 50-overs will receive US$20,000 next year with a minimum increase of US$10,000 annually over the next 4-year cycle. The runners-up will receive half these amounts.

The T20 Blaze winners will also be rewarded with an increase – US$10,000 for the winners next year - with further increases annually for the upcoming four years. The runners-up will receive half these amounts.

CWI is finalizing a new 4-year MOU with the West Indies Players Association, which will see further increases for individual players, including a major boost to women’s remuneration.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) hosted the Professional Cricketers draft last Thursday for the Territorial Board Franchises. Each Franchise drafted five players to complete their 15-member squads for an interim three (3) month period ahead of the 2023 CG United Super50 Cup, scheduled to take place in October 2023.

Each team had already retained 10 players and the Professional Cricketers Draft enabled each team to add five players to complete their 15-member squads. The Draft took place over five rounds via a videocall with representatives from all six Territorial Board Franchises.  The interim contracts will run from 1 July 2023 to 30 September 2023, with new twelve-month contracts to start from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024, following the strategic decision to now align contracts with the CWI Financial Year.

Each Franchise was required to contract two players under the age of 25 as of 1 October 2023 as part of the overall regional programme to ensure playing opportunities for younger and developing players.  Franchises will get the opportunity to revise their squads ahead of 1 October once the West Indies International Retainer contracts for the 2023/24 season have been confirmed. All International retained players and umpires have been offered three-month contract extensions to 30 September 2023.

Two highlights of the draft were the selections of West Indies international players Oshane Thomas and Justin Greaves, chosen by the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Fast bowler Thomas has played 20 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 20 T20 Internationals (T20Is) for the West Indies. He has managed five-wicket hauls in both formats. Greaves is a tall right-handed middle-order batsman and right-arm seam bowler, who played three ODIs for the West Indies against Ireland in 2022.

Windward Islands Volcanoes, who was unbeaten in the last regional First Class season, chose to draft in two overseas players: left-handed opener Jeremy Solozano who previously played for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, and allrounder Shamar Springer, over from Barbados Pride.

 Thomas, 26, said he was pleased to join the Leeward Islands Hurricanes camp. “I’m happy to get this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to joining the Franchise and being part of the unit. I see it as a new start, a chance for me to work way back up to international cricket, where I performed before. I still have a dream of playing Test cricket for the West Indies and the red ball season will be crucial. I’m also keen to play the other formats, but first I have to do it for Leeward Islands Hurricanes and then make that step back up to international cricket.”

The six Franchises will continue their preparations for the upcoming season. The CG United Super50 Cup is schedule to return to Antigua and Trinidad, starting on 21 October with the Final set to take place on 11 November where defending champions the Jamaica Scorpions will attempt to retain their title.

Guyana Harpy Eagles were crowned champions of the 2023 West Indies Championship, lifting the Headley Weekes Trophy, named in honour of West Indies legends George Headley and Sir Everton Weekes.

FULL SQUADS

Barbados Pride: Shayne Moseley, Zachary McCaskie, Raymon Reifer, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Akeem Jordan, Dominic Drakes, Jomel Warrican, Kevin Wickham, Jair McAllister

Draft picks: Roshon Primus, Chaim-Alexis Holder, Jonathan Drakes, Keon Harding, Camarie Boyce

Guyana Harpy Eagles: Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Tevin Imlach, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Kevlon Anderson

Draft picks: Shamar Joseph, Rampertab Ramnath, Mavendra Dindyal, Junior Sinclair, Antony Adams

Jamaica Scorpions: Kirk McKenzie, Ojay Shields, Abhijai Mansingh, Jeavor Royal, Marquino Mindley, Derval Green, Peat Salmon, Javel Glenn, Daniel Beckford, Tevin Gilzene

Draft picks: Shalome Parnell, Carlos Brown, Andre Bailey, Gordon Bryan, Brad Barnes

Leeward Islands Hurricanes: Kieran Powell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Colin Archibald, Kofi James, Karima Gore, Jeremiah Louis, Daniel Doram, Keacy Carty, Javier Spencer

Draft picks: Justin Greaves, Oshane Thomas, Nathan Edward, Miklye Louis, Zawandi White Trinidad and Tobago Red Force: Darren Bravo, Yannic Cariah, Jason Mohammed, Imran Khan, Bryan Charles, Khary Pierre, Terrance Hinds, Tion Webster, Shannon Gabriel, Anderson Phillip

 Draft picks: Kjorn Ottley, Amir Jangoo, Jyd Goolie, Cephas Cooper, Shaaron Lewis

 Windward Islands Volcanoes: Sunil Ambris, Alick Athanaze, Larry Edward, Kavem Hodge, Shermon Lewis, Ryan John, Darius Martin, Preston McSween, Kimani Melius, Tevyn Walcott

 Draft picks: Shamar Springer, Jeremy Solozano, Kenneth Dember, Johann Jeremiah, Nicklaus Redhead.

A rain delay meant the game was reduced to 42 overs and the Pride took first strike after the Hurricanes won the toss.

The Bajans quickly found themselves 19-3 inside 5 overs, losing Kraigg Brathwaite (2), Zachary McCaskie (4) and Shamarh Brooks (5) in quick succession.

An 85-run fourth wicket stand between Captain Shai Hope and Roston Chase restored order to proceedings before Chase fell in the 22^nd over for a 58-ball 45.

Hope went on to bring up his second fifty of the tournament before he fell soon after for 55 with the Pride on 138 in the 30^th over.

The skipper’s wicket brought about a procession with the Pride losing their final five wickets for 58 runs to eventually be bowled out for 196 in 41.2 overs.

Hurricanes captain Alzarri Joseph took 3-34 from his nine overs while Hayden Walsh Jr took 3-43 from eight overs.

Chasing a revised target of 192, the Leewards lost Kieran Powell off just the second ball of the innings for four.

Justin Greaves and Keacy Carty then put on 59 for the second wicket before Carty went off the bowling of Roston Chase for 18.

Jahmar Hamilton then came and went soon after for 10 to leave the Hurricanes 77-3 off 16 overs.

Terance Warde then joined Greaves in the middle and the pair added a crucial 65 for the fourth wicket before Warde fell for 22.

16-year-old debutant and West Indies Under-19 representative Jewel Andrew was next to go for five before Alzarri Joseph fell for seven to bring Hayden Walsh Jr to the crease to join Greaves with the Hurricanes needing 28.

The pair brought the Hurricanes home at 192-6 in 40.1 overs.

Greaves ended 95* off 120 balls, his third consecutive 50-plus score, while Walsh Jr finished 21* off just nine balls.

Roston Chase took 4-34 from nine overs for the Pride.

 The day's other game between the Jamaica Scorpions and the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force ended in a no result.

The Scorpions were 213-9 off 48 overs batting first before rain meant no further play was possible at the Queen's Park Oval.

Nkrumah Bonner led the way with 74 while Rovman Powell made 48 against three wickets apiece from Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein. 

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.

Stafanie Taylor once again led Jamaica to a comfortable 9-wicket win over the Leeward Islands at Conaree Cricket Centre.

Batting first the Leeward Islands fell short of a 100-run total, as they were bowled out for 98 in 35.1 overs. Vanessa Watts and Taylor, with their off-spin, combined for 6 wickets between them.

Watts had figures of 3/15 while Taylor had 3/16. Reniece Boyce was the stop scorer for the Leewards with 37, followed by Shebani Bhaskar 14 and Shanwnisha Hector 14.

Experienced batters Rashada Williams and Chedean Nation then made quick work of the small target, to reach victory in 11.2 overs, to end of 99/1. Williams 29 and Nation 61 remained not out when victory was achieved.

Guyana earned their first win of the tournament with a handsome 44-run win over the Windward Islands at Warner Park.

Batting first a patient 61 off 102 deliveries from Shabika Gajnabi and 42 from skipper Shemaine Campbelle propelled Guyana to 207/8 from their 50 overs.

Carena Noel once again starred for the Windwards with her spin, taking 3/47. Nerissa Crafton continued her run of form with the bat with a quickfire 47 off 54 deliveries, but it was not enough as she ran out of partners to take their team to victory, as the Windwards were bowled out for 163 in 40.2 overs.

Plaffiana Millington, Ashmini Munisar and Nyia Latchman all had 2 wickets a piece, to finish with figures of 2/23, 2/31, 2/38 respectively.

In the final match, Trinidad and Tobago Divas suffered their second defeat in as many matches, when they lost by 8 runs to archrivals Barbados at St. Paul’s Sports Complex.

Batting first, Barbados 186 all out in 48.4 overs, thanks to a brilliant 93 from captain Kycia Knight.

Knight’s innings of 134 deliveries which included seven fours and a six, looked set to take Barbados well past 200 but tactical bowling and a batting collapse prevented that.

Karishma Ramharack once again led the Divas bowling figures with 4/20 followed by Samara Ramnath with 3/38.

In their run-chase, the Divas had 33 from skipper Britney Cooper, 32 from Ramnath and 26 from Lee Ann Kirby but the rest of the batters failed to fire as they finished on 178/8 from 50 overs. Aaliyah Alleyne and Keila Elliott had figures of 2/33 from 10 0vers each.

Round 3 matches see Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago Divas at Conaree, Guyana vs Barbados at St. Paul’s and the Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands at Warner Park.

Batting first, Shamarh Brooks (69) and Shai Hope (65), both posted half-centuries in leading Barbados Pride to 259, after which Leacock’s skill with the ball, trumped a brisk 94 from Jamaica Scorpions wicketkeeper/batsman Chadwick Walton and condemned the reigning champions to a second consecutive defeat.

Scores: Barbados Pride 258-6 (50 overs); Jamaica Scorpions 211 all out (44.3 overs)

Walton smashed six fours and six maximums in his 112-ball knock with Jeavor Royal contributing a 34-ball 44, while Jermaine Blackwood made a patient 30 off 49 balls in the Scorpions failed attempt to overhaul their target on this occasion. In their opening contest against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, they lost by eight wickets after posting a paltry total.

Blackwood, West Indies Test vice-captain, had four boundaries in his knock, while Royal had four sixes and one four in his late flurry.

Leacock, playing only his sixth List “A” match, required only eight overs to do the damage, as he accounted for Walton, captain Rovman Powell (zero), Shalome Powell (zero) and Fabian Allen (two).

This, as left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes, two for 14 from 3.3 overs, and Roston Chase, two for 37 from eight overs, took out the Scorpions middle order.

Earlier, the Pride, last year’s beaten semi-finalists had a slight stutter at the start, as they lost opener Kyle Mayers (one) with just four runs on the board.

However, West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Brooks steadied the innings with an 88-run stand, before the former fell for a 78-ball 45 which included two boundaries.

Brooks, who had three fours and one six in his 89-ball knock, formed another partnership worth 88 runs with West Indies One-day International captain Hope, whose 76-ball innings included four fours and one six.

There was another stutter after both fell, but Drakes hammered two fours and three sixes in 18-ball cameo to end unbeaten on 40 and, more importantly, saw Pride to what turned out to be a winning target.

Parnell had two wickets for 33 runs, and Gordon, two wickets for 41 runs for the Scorpions.

The tournament continues with a double-header on Saturday when Leeward Islands face West Indies Academy at Queen’s Park Oval and Guyana Harpy Eagles meet Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in a day-night contest. The games are scheduled to begin at 9:00am and 1:00pm respectively.

The Hurricanes won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a formidable 290 all out off 49.4 overs thanks to half centuries from Jahmar Hamilton, Justin Greaves and Hayden Walsh Jr.

Hamilton top scored with a 61-ball 76, his third fifty of the competition, including six fours and four sixes while Greaves, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, got his fourth consecutive 50-plus score with 63 off 76 balls including five fours.

Walsh Jr, batting at number eight, got his second fifty of the tournament with a rapid 45-ball 57 including one four and five sixes to propel the Hurricanes to their massive total.

Off-spinner Kemar Smith, brother of former West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith, got his maiden five-wicket haul for the Pride with 5-43 off his 10 overs. Dominic Drakes and Raymon Reifer provided good support with two wickets, each.

The Pride reply got off to the worst possible start when Hurricanes skipper Alzarri Joseph bowled destructive opener Kyle Mayers off the second ball of the innings for four.

Barbados then quickly lost the wickets of Zachary McCaskie (6), Shai Hope (19), Shamarh Brooks (13) and Kraigg Brathwaite (11) to find themselves reeling at 61-5 in the 13^th over.

Roston Chase tried his best to restore some order to the innings with a fighting 36-ball 35 but it wasn’t enough as the Pride were eventually bowled out for 135 in just 30.2 overs.

Joseph was brilliant up from with the new ball for the Hurricanes with 3-30 from his five overs while left-arm spinner Daniel Doram continued his own good form with 3-33 from his 10 overs. Kofi James (2-36 from seven) and Hayden Walsh Jr (2-13 from 3.2) also bowled well to seal the win.

This is the Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ first trip to the final of the Super50 Cup since 2019 where they lost to the West Indies Emerging Players while this is the Red Force’s third straight trip to the final.

They won the title in 2021 against the Guyana Harpy Eagles before losing the final to the Jamaica Scorpions last year.

The final will take place at the same venue on Saturday.

The Hurricanes and the Red Force previously met in the fourth round of this year's tournament with the Red Force winning that game by three wickets.

McCaskie, playing his first game of the season, hit a 116-ball 131 including 13 fours and four sixes to help Barbados post 314-7 from their 50 overs after winning the toss.

West Indies batsman Shamarh Brooks also hit a well-compiled 65 off 67 balls including four fours and two sixes in support.

West Indies ODI skipper Shai Hope was also in a destructive mood, hitting 33 off just 19 balls including two fours and two sixes.

Left-arm seamer Jediah Blades and leg-spinner Abhijai Mansingh each took a pair of wickets for the CCC.

The CCC chase, after a valiant effort, ended in the 46^th over with them being bowled out for 266.

Captain Shane Dowrich, who hit a brilliant unbeaten 102* to lead them to victory against the Windwards in round three, top scored with 86 off 84 balls including five fours and three sixes.

18-year-old West Indies Under-19 batsman Jordan Johnson also showed excellent form, following up 41 in round four against the Jamaica Scorpions with a 45-ball 50 including two fours and two sixes on Tuesday, his maiden List A fifty.

Demario Richards, who also hit a half-century against the Scorpions, made 41.

Off-spinner Roston Chase took 3-56from his 10 overs while Dominic Drakes and Roshon Primus picked up two wickets, each, in support for the Pride who now have three wins, one loss and one no result.

Replying to Windward Islands’ score of 254-9, Trinidad and Tobago achieved victory at 255-4 with 12 balls to spare.

Batting first, Windward Islands owed their total to a brilliant knock of 89 from Johnson Charles, who smashed eight fours and five sixes in his 69-ball stay before he was dismissed by Yannick Cariah, who also claimed the wicket of Johnson’s opening partner Alick Athanaze for 39.

Kavem Hodge contributed 45 while Captain Andre Fletcher, batting much lower in the order, made 36 to help take the Windwards to a competitive total.

Cariah also took the wickets of Sunil Ambris for 10 and Tevyn Walcott for six to end with figures of 4-57. Sunil Narine provided support with 2-29.

The chase was relatively uneventful was Ottley dominated the bowling scoring his runs from 142 balls during which he hit 11 fours and three sixes. Fellow opener Tion Webster scored 40 and there were contributions of Terrence Hinds, who was not out on 26 at the end, and Darren Bravo, 25 and Jason Mohammed, 20.

Kenneth Dember was the best of the bowlers with 2-23.

The contest, which saw the Harpy Eagles posting a paltry 177, was evenly poised to go either way, as CCC's reply was at 86-5 when the heavens opened. 

Prior to the weather, Tevin Imlach led the Harpy Eagles batting with a well-played 80 off 105 balls. His knock included four boundaries and a six, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the next best scorer with 30. Akshaya Persaud, 2-23 and Shatrughan Rambaran, 2-27, were the pick of the CCC bowlers.

CCC in their turn at bat, also found the going tough, with the aggressive Kadeem Alleyne being the only batsman to show any real resistance at that point.

Alleyne struck five sixes and two fours in a 27-ball 47. Kevin Sinclair, 3-39, did the damage for Harpy Eagles.

Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 177 all out (48.1 overs); CCC 86-5 (15 overs)

The Leewards first posted 244-6 from their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first.

Karima Gore and Jahmar Hamilton both hit 54 to lead the Hurricanes while Hayden Walsh Jr followed up a 60* in their last game with a well-played 49.

The Guyana bowling was led by Romario Shepherd and captain Veerasammy Permaul who each took a pair of wickets.

The Harpy Eagles then needed only 47.3 overs to get their second win of the season on the back of a brilliant 71-ball 105 from Rutherford. His knock included seven fours and eight sixes.

Tevin Imlach (32) and Kevlon Anderson (32) both provided good support for Rutherford.

Kofi James tried his best for the Hurricanes with 3-30 from his ten overs.

Shamar Joseph has replaced Ronsford Beaton, who has picked up an injury, for the remainder of the tournament. It is a like for like replacement, with both players being fast bowlers.

Joseph becomes immediately available to play, having been added to the Harpy Eagles training squad in Trinidad prior to the opening of the tournament. In their fifth match of the competition, they are currently doing battle at UWI – Spec against the Barbados Pride, who are fifth in the table with 22 points after 3 matches.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles currently sit sixth in the points table, having amassed a total of 15 points in their 4 matches thus far, with 3 more matches to be played in the group stage.

The CG United Super 50 group stage concludes on Sunday November 5. The Harpy Eagles will be looking to win their remaining matches and push for one of four semifinal places.

The grand finale will be played at 1PM on Saturday, November 11 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Speaking on a recent edition of the Sportsmax Zone, Uttamchandani, while reviewing the group stages of the tournament stated, “I credit CWI, Miles Bascombe and his team for the innovation. There was no point coming into this tournament doing the same things over and over again. It is about now building towards the 2027 World Cup.” 

Commenting on specific improvements seen during the group stage, Uttamchandani highlighted two key areas.

“Coming into this, I looked closely to see where the West Indies have fallen behind in ODIs in the last few years, and it’s in the middle overs. It is no secret that we have struggled.” 

Since the 2019 ODI World Cup, the West Indies have ranked 12th  of the 19 teams in the world between overs 11 and 40, only scoring at 4.69 runs per over. “It was refreshing to see the two youngest teams being the only two teams above five runs per over in overs 11-40 during the group stages. It shows that while the bowling will not be the same at the international level, there is added impetus being shown in the middle overs.” 

The Combined Campuses and Colleges team was the best middle-over team of the preliminary stages, scoring at 5.58 runs per over, while the West Indies Academy was second best at 5.04. He also accentuated the increased intensity in the first 10 overs of the innings, where five teams had scored better than five runs per over in this year’s competition, a significant improvement over last season. 

From a bowling perspective, Uttamchandani revealed that he was impressed by new Leeward Islands sensation Daniel Doram, the tall left-arm spinner who took 13 wickets in six matches, including a 7-29 against Jamaica.  However, while he was impressed with his uniqueness, Uttamchandani wants to see Doram perform well in two to three more tournaments before being considered for play internationally. 

“He is different to Motie and Hosein. He has been impressive, but if he can go into the four-day championship, CPL, if selected, or even the next Super 50 and put out good performances, it will create a better environment for West Indies cricket and offer more for the selectors to choose from. In bouncy conditions, Doram provides an alternative option. I’m excited for the future of his career.” 

The analyst believes the impact of the bonus points system and this year’s Super 50 Cup will be further reflected in the England and Australia series bowling off in the next few months.