West Indies Championship

The Scorpions started the day 6-0 after four overs, trailing the Pride by 69 runs.

The day started terribly for the Jamaicans as the second ball of the day saw Akeem Jordan bowl Leroy Lugg for two.

Debutant Tevin Gilzene was next to go for nine, caught by Shayne Moseley off the bowling of Jordan in the seventh over.

Captain Paul Palmer Jr then joined Kirk McKenzie at the crease but didn’t last long, becoming Jordan’s third victim of the day for one to leave the Scorpions in a spot of bother at 21-3 after 11 overs.

Two and a half overs later, Jamaica lost their fourth wicket when Aldane Thomas was dismissed by Shamar Springer for three.

Not long after, Abhijai Mansingh became wicket number four for Jordan on the day after nicking off for a duck to leave the Scorpions 25-5 in the 15^th over.

Jamie Merchant was next in and added 12 for the seventh wicket with McKenzie before he fell for 10 in the 19^th over with the score on just 36.

It was then Marquino Mindley’s turn to face the music alongside McKenzie. The pacer reached one off seven balls before he became Springer’s second wicket to leave Jamaica reeling at 56-7 off in the 22^nd over, with debutant Ojay Shields joining McKenzie in the middle.

In the midst of the carnage at the other end, McKenzie brought up his maiden First-class fifty off 67 balls in the 28^th over.

McKenzie (54) and Ojay Shields (17) were the not out batsmen as the Scorpions entered the lunch break 101-7 from 29 overs, holding a slim 26-run lead over the Bajans.

After bringing up their 50 partnership shortly after lunch, McKenzie finally fell for a top score of 56 off 78 balls to leave the Scorpions 106-8.

Gordon Bryan joined Shields at the wicket and the pair put on 17 before Shields was next to go for 22 in the 37^th over with the score on 123.

Bryan, playing only his second First-class game, then provided some handy runs at the end, putting on 28 for the final wicket with Patrick Harty before being the last man dismissed for 42 off 64 balls.

In the end, the Scorpions limped to 151 all out in 45.5 overs, leaving the Pride needing just 77 to win.

Pace did the job for Barbados as Akeem Jordan continued his excellent form with the ball with 4-65 off 17 overs while Jair McAllister finished with 3-35 from 11 overs and Shamar Springer picked up two wickets.

The defending champions then needed just 29.2 overs to get to their target, reaching 78-4 to complete a six-wicket win.

Zachary McCaskie scored 26 against Patrick Harty’s 3-26 from 9.2 overs.

Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 140 off 54.5 overs (Jamie Merchant 35, Tevin Gilzene 32, Abhijai Mansingh 27, Shamar Springer 3-11, Camarie Boyce 3-26, Akeem Jordan 3-48) and 151 off 45.5 overs.(Kirk McKenzie 56, Gordon Bryan 42, Akeem Jordan 4-65, Jair McAllister 3-35, Shamar Springer 2-38)

Barbados Pride 215 off 69.5 overs (Shayne Moseley 82, Shane Dowrich 64*, Patrick Harty 4-23, Marquino Mindley 2-25, Abhijai Mansingh 2-30) and 78-4 off 29.2 overs (Zachary McCaskie 26, Jonathan Drakes 19, Shemar Springer 11*, Shane Dowrich 5*, Patrick Harty 3-26)

Batting first, the Hurricanes seemed set for a below-par total after losing wickets at regular intervals at the top of the order.  The top three of Montcin Hodge, Kieron Powell, and Ross Powell were removed with just 65 runs on the board.  Devon Thomas was next to go just two overs later and was, like Powell before him, bowled by the excellent McSween.

Jahmar Hamilton paired with Terrance Ward to add a respectable 47 for the 6^th wicket but the partnership came to an end when Hamilton was caught, attempting to pull Kenneth Dember.  Rahkeem Cornwall managed to add just one run before becoming McSween’s 3^rd wicket and the writing seemed on the wall when the bowler returned to pick up the valued wicket of Ward a few overs later.

Archibald’s brutal 104 from just 97 deliveries, at the bottom of the order, however, changed the complexion of the innings entirely.  At the close of play, the batsman remained not-out at the crease and was partnered by Daniel Doram on 17 from 69 deliveries.

Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich and Nicholas Kirton will captain the different sides which are named after Sir Charles Griffith, Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Wes Hall.

The first match is from January 5-7, second is from January 10-12 and the third match is from 15-17. After those three, the Pride squad will play the best remaining players from the series in a four-day practice match from January 21-24.

Sir Charles Griffith Squad: Nicholas Kirton (Captain), Mikhail Austin, Joshua Bishop, Leniko Boucher, Jamaine Bullen, Rivaldo Clarke, Zidane Clarke, Joshua Drakes, Tauron Gibson, Keon Harding, Chaim Holder, Jarion Hoyte, Matthew Jones, Shayne Mosley, Shamar Springer, Craig St. Hill, Shanaldo Taylor, Kevin Wickham.

Sir Garfield Sobers Squad: Shai Hope (Captain), Marrodon Bend, Joshua DOrne, Jonathan Drakes, Jaden Edmund, Matthew Forde, Amari Goodridge, Chemar Holder, Javed Leacock, Jaden Lorde, Zachary McCaskie, Antonio Morris, Tariq O’Neale, Indal Persaud, Demario Richards, Demetrius Richards, Jomel Warrican, Rashawn Worrell.

Sir Wes Hall Squad: Shane Dowrich (Captain), Michael Agard, Kadeem Alleyne, Camarie Boyce, Shian Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Romario Greaves, Kyle Hope, Aaron Jones, Akeem Jordan, Johann Layne, Kalvin Marcus, Jair McAllister, Hakeem Perryman, Nathan Sealy, Kemar Smith, Akeem Springer, Nyeem Young.

Put into bat, Pride stumbled to 132 for five in the first hour after lunch on a rain-marred day.

But Mayers transformed the complexion of the innings with an array of meaty strokes to all parts of the ground to complete his second hundred of the season, against these same opponents, following his 106 in their first-round match at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St. Vincent

The left-hander, playing for his home franchise after spending four seasons with the Volcanoes, built strong alliances with the lower order to drag the Pride from the precipice, gaining admirable support from Kevin Stoute and West Indies pacer Kemar Roach in successive half-century stands.

Mayers shared 92 with Stoute for the sixth wicket and put on a further 92 for the seventh wicket with Roach to frustrate the Volcanoes in between two brief stoppages for rain.

Stoute scored 46, Roach made 41, Justin Greaves added 38, left-handed opener Shayne Moseley got 36 and West Indies batsman Shamarh Brooks gathered 33.

Mayers’ innings carried him to the brink of becoming the first batsman this season to clear the 500-run mark. He needs only two more.

The expected return of Windies Test captain Jason Holder and fast bowler Kemar Roach are expected to provide a boost to the team fresh off a massive 148 runs loss to Trinidad and Tobago.  With seven matches played, the Pride who lead the standings with 116 points, 31 ahead of Guyana Amazon Warriors who played to a draw with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

“It is a big game (Guyana vs Barbados) and that is our big focus. We have to perform. The loss in Trinidad and Tobago was disappointing. We should have done better,” Pride head coach Emmerson Trotman to the Barbados Nation News.

“Trinidad utilised the conditions better than we did, but we have to put that behind us,” he added. 

The two have accounted for the last seven titles between them but it is the Jaguars that have claimed the trophy in ever edition since 2014.  In other matches of the round, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will battle the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago, and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes will lock horns with the Jamaica Scorpions at the Viv Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua & Barbuda.

Scores in the game so far, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, 260 and 134-6, against the Jamaica Scorpions, 561-9 declared.

After a first-innings performance with the ball that restricted the Hurricanes to 260, thanks to Marquino Mindley’s 5-65 and Derval Green’s 4-84.

The Scorpions responded brilliantly courtesy of 248 from discarded West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood, who slammed 248, and by opener John Campbell, who scored his fifth first-class century, this time scoring 112.

Nkrumah Bonner, 48, and Jamie Merchant, 50 not out, played good supporting roles in helping the Scorpions rack up 561.

On Saturday, despite Montcin Hodge’s unbeaten 60, Green’s 2-49, Mindley’s 1-39, and 3-12 from Jamie Merchant, left the Hurricanes struggling at 134, still some 167 runs away from making the Scorpions bat again.

There may be some light at the end of the tunnel for the Hurricanes with Alzarri Joseph and Jeremiah Louis yet to bat. Joseph scored 89 in the first innings, while Louis also notched a half century, getting to 75 before he was last man out.

Hayden Walsh Jr is also still at the crease with Hodge on 18.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Scorpion's batting line-up was rocked early on when Leroy Lugg was sent back to the pavilion, with just 17 runs on the board.  Lugg was caught by Gudakesh Motie off the bowling of Demetri Cameron.  Blackwood and John Campbell then went about repairing the damage and put on a 50-run partnership for the second wicket, but that was brought to an end when Campbell was trapped lbw by Kevin Sinclair.

Blackwood would, however, continue to anchor the innings putting on another 30 with Paul Palmer Jr after Oraine Williams also fell victim to Sinclair when he was trapped lbw without scoring.  Palmer himself became one of two victims on the day for Motie after being gobbled up by Cameron.

Alwyn Williams then joined the set Blackwood, at the crease, and the two saw the score to over 200 with Williams adding 51 before being dismissed by Motie.

Overall, Motie ended with figures of 2 for 39, while Sinclair ended with 2 for 74.  At the close of play, Blackwood stood unbeaten on 110 off 251 balls and he was partnered by Aldane Thomas who notched 35 off 40 deliveries.

Blackwood, 32, will captain the team and is looking to earn a recall to the West Indies Test outfit after he was dropped prior to their recent tour of Australia. Blackwood, who averages 30.18 in 56 Tests, played two games for the Scorpions in last season’s West Indies Championship, scoring 159 runs with two fifties in four innings.

Bonner, who averages 38 in 15 Tests with his last coming against Australia in December 2022, will be looking to bounce back from a rough season last year where he only scored 43 runs in four innings at 10.75.

McKenzie is coming off a promising tour of Australia that saw him produce scores of 50, 26, 21 and 41 against a superb Australia bowling attack and will be looking to score big runs for the Scorpions.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Abhijai Mansingh, whose performances with bat and ball last season saw him earn a call-up to the West Indies “A” team for their tour of South Africa, is also in the squad.

38-year-old Chadwick Walton, who last played first-class cricket in 2019, has also been named in the Scorpions squad as has former West Indies Under-19 Captain, Ramaal Lewis.

The Scorpions will open their campaign against the Windward Islands from February 7-10 at Sabina Park. They were last in last year's points table with 25.6 points.

Full Squad: Jermaine Blackwood (C), Nkrumah Bonner, Derval Green, Abhijai Mansingh, Peat Salmon, Jeavor Royal, Kirk McKenzie, Marquino Mindley, Gordon Bryan, Romaine Morris, Carlos Brown, Chadwick Walton, Ramaal Lewis

Blackwood hit the top score of 98 and the Scorpions batted consistently down the order to finish the day with a tidy advantage as the Scorpions closed on 260 for 6.

Blackwood shared stands of 52 with Paul Palmer for the third wicket and 58 with Oraine Williams for the fifth wicket to power the Scorpions’ innings.

Several others got starts, but they failed to carry on – Grenadian wicketkeeper/batsman Denis Smith, one of the Scorpions draft imports, was not out on 36; West Indies left-handed opener John Campbell, the Scorpions captain, made 35; Williams got 30 and Palmer added 21.

 West Indies off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers, taking 3-72 from 28 overs, and pacer Sheno Berridge captured 2-47 from 10 overs.

 Earlier, Hurricanes resumed from their overnight total of 215 for nine and were bowled out inside the first hour.

 Pacer Nicholson Gordon took the last wicket of Berridge for one and finished with 2-54 from 20.4 overs.

The hosts began Friday’s day three 326-7 off 82 overs, leading by two runs with Peat Salmon (60*) and Derval Green (25*) at the crease.

They ended up adding a further 46 runs in 26.2 overs to finish 372 all out, leading by 48 runs.

Salmon added 21 to his overnight score to end up top scoring with 81 off 198 balls including eight fours and one six while Green ended up making a 38-ball 35.

Joshua Bishop was the pick of the Academy bowlers with 6-96 from his 33.2 overs.

The Academy were then bowled out for 281 in 74.1 overs leaving the Scorpions needing 234 to win on Saturday.

Carlon Bowen-Tuckett faced 132 balls for his 53 while Kadeem Alleyne got his second fifty of the contest with 52 off just 41 balls including six fours and three sixes.

Joshua James, Ashmead Nedd and Jordan Johnson also chipped in with 36, 30 and 26, respectively.

Abhijai Mansingh led the bowling for the hosts in the second innings with 4-70 off 14 overs while Peat Salmon provided good support with 3-55 from 24 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) & 218 all out off 74.1 overs (Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 53, Kadeem Alleyne 52, Joshua James 36, Ashmead Nedd 30, Abhijai Mansingh 4-70, Peat Salmon 3-55)

Jamaica Scorpions 372 all out off 108.1 overs (Peat Salmon 81, Brandon King 77, Leroy Lugg 64, Derval Green 35, Carlos Brown 33, Kirk McKenzie 29, Joshua Bishop 6-96, Kadeem Alleyne 2-29)

At stumps, West Indies Academy were 60-2, just 77 runs behind the Hurricanes, who were bundled out for a mere 137 thanks to the brilliant bowling efforts of the Academy’s bowlers.

Jeremiah Louis’ late-innings knock of 45 was the only thing that stood between the Hurricanes and complete humiliation as they were blown away by the bowling of allrounder Joshua James, who took 3-11 and Ashmead Nedd, who two wickets came at a cost of only three runs. Johan Layne weighed in with 2-18.

Nyeem Young was the least efficient of the bowlers conceding 52 runs from his 10 overs during which he took two wickets.

Terance Ward score of 28 and Jahmar Hamilton contribution of 22 were the only other noteworthy efforts in an otherwise woeful batting display from the Hurricanes.

Mbeki Joseph will resume on 30 and Ackeem Auguste 15 when play begins on Thursday.

The Scorpions started the day 118-4 with Paul Palmer Jr joining night watchman Marquino Mindley at the crease.

The pair put on just 13 before Mindley was dismissed by Preston McSween to leave the Scorpions 131-5, just six runs behind the Windwards first innings total of 137.

However, Brandon King joined Palmer Jr in the middle and the two put on an additional 30 runs before Palmer edged to second slip off the bowling of Josh Thomas for 15.

Derval Green came and went for a three-ball duck to leave the Scorpions 161-7 before wicketkeeper/batsman Aldane Thomas joined King in the middle.

The pair added some stability with a partnership of 58 before Thomas went caught at slip off the bowling of Sherman Lewis for 20 to leave the score 219-8 just after the lunch break.

Jamie Merchant and King then mounted a stand of 109 for the ninth wicket, taking the score to 328 when Merchant was dismissed for 58, his maiden first-class half-century.

King also scored his third first-class hundred during the stand and was 119 not out off 154 balls in the end.

The Scorpions eventually got to 346 all out, a commanding first innings lead of 209 runs.

Preston McSween was the pick of the Volcanoes bowlers with 4-96 off 25 overs while Josh Thomas supported well with 3-56 off 21 overs.

Kimani Melius and Devon Smith then began the task of overhauling the Scorpions' total with an opening partnership of 31 before Melius fell to Derval Green for 17.

Captain Kavem Hodge then joined Smith and the pair put on 36 before Smith was next to go, becoming Green’s second victim for a top score of 31.

Alick Athanaze was next to the crease and he and his captain looked comfortable, putting on 34 until the final over of the day which saw Jamie Merchant dismiss Athanaze for 17 to leave the Volcanoes 101-3 off 33.1 overs at stumps, still trailing by 108 runs.

Kavem Hodge is currently 30 not out while Derval Green has taken 2-35 off 10 overs for the Scorpions.

The Pride were 315-6 off 97 overs at stumps, leading the hosts by 46 runs after starting Thursday 15-0 off seven overs.

Brathwaite, who entered this game with just 27 runs from four innings this season, batted in his customary relaxed fashion to end day two 129* off 290 balls including 13 fours.

Kevin Wickham provided excellent support for his skipper with 63, his second half-century of the season along with a hundred in round one against the CCC. His knock lasted 92 balls and included six fours.

Former West Indies wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich was the other not out batsman at stumps with 19.

Derval Green has so far taken 2-38 from 19 overs for the Scorpions.

Full Scores: Jamaica Scorpions269 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 315-6 off 97 overs(Kraigg Brathwaite 129*, Kevin Wickham 63, Jonathan Drakes 31, Derval Green 2-38)

At the close of play, Brathwaite was 137 not out as the Barbados Pride reached 243-2 in reply to Jamaica’s first innings score of 328. Brathwaite shared in a third-wicket stand of 100 with Shamarh Brooks, who made 39 and then an unbroken partnership of 136 with Reifer, who is at the other end on 55.

Jamaica resumed from their overnight 299-3 with John Campbell on 123 and Paul Palmer on 76 hoping to build on their 133-run partnership that threatened to take the game away from Barbados.

However, Reifer had other ideas. Jamaica had added two runs to their overnight total when he bowled Paul Palmer, who did not add to his overnight score. The loss of Palmer’s wicket triggered a collapse that saw Jamaica lose their last seven wickets for 29 runs.

Reifer also took the wickets of Palmer for 127, Alwyn Williams for two, Jermaine Merchant for 12, Marquino Mindley for nine and Patrick Hartey for 0 to end with figures of 6-23 from 13.4 overs.

The Pride started day three on 243-2 off 78 overs, trailing the Scorpions first innings score of 328 by 85 runs with Brathwaite on 137 and Raymon Reifer on 55.

The Barbados batsmen ensured that the Jamaicans would spend the bulk of the day in the field, eventually declaring after tea on a mammoth 521-8, a lead of 193 runs.

Brathwaite’s 276, his 25th first-class century, came off 406 balls and included 18 fours, while Reifer supported with 71 from 162 balls. Jonathan Carter also contributed 68 off 164 balls.

Patrick Harty was the most successful Jamaica Scorpions bowler with 5-111 off 35 overs.

In their second innings reply, the Scorpions ended the day 56-1 off 17 overs, trailing the Pride by 137 runs with captain John Campbell on 15 and Jermaine Blackwood on 24.

The Red Force started the day 106-3 and lost their fourth wicket quickly as Jyd Goolie was run out for 18 in the 48^th over with the score on 119.

Tion Webster then joined Bravo at the crease and the pair put on 25 before Webster was bowled by Veerasammy Permaul for 16 in the 55^th over.

Bravo was next to go, falling agonizingly short of his third hundred of the season when he was dismissed by Permaul for a well-made 170-ball 95 in the 61^st over.

The very next ball saw Permaul remove Imran Khan for a golden duck to leave the red Force reeling at 165-7.

Bryan Charles was next to go, falling for one with the score on 174.

Red Force were 175-8 at lunch needing a further 247 runs to win with Amir Jangoo (10) and Uthman Muhammad (0) at the crease.

Jangoo and Muhammad continued to fight after lunch until Muhammad was dismissed by Ronsford Beaton for 25 with the score on 211 in the 83^rd over.

The last pair of Jangoo and debutant Justin Manick put on a valiant 57 for the last wicket before Manick went for 22 off the bowling of Kevin Sinclair.

Jangoo ended up 50 not out as the Red Force were bowled out for 268 in 97.5 overs.

Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 324 off 86.3 overs (Kevin Sinclair 69, Leon Johnson 62, Anthony Bramble 56, Keemo Paul 46, Imran Khan 4-80, Bryan Charles 3-85) and 247-6 declared off 83 overs (Kemol Savory 101*, Leon Johnson 74, Darren Bravo 2-23, Bryan Charles 2-60)

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 160 off 52 overs (Jason Mohammed 50, Jyd Goolie 22, Ronsford Beaton 4-31, Veerasammy Permaul 3-36, Keemo Paul 3-37) and 268 off 97.5 overs (Darren Bravo 95, Amir Jangoo 50*, Veerasammy Permaul 3-58, Ronsford Beaton 2-53, Keemo Paul 2-73).

The Red Force players will get the first of just two opportunities to play competitively before the start of the West Indies Four-Day Championship when they play a three-day practice match in Preysal. Bravo is expected to be part of the action.

This was confirmed by Red Force coach and selection chairman David Furlonge on January 2.

He also told the Trinidad Express that Bravo would also play in next week’s North/South Classic, as well as the Four-Day Championship.

The confirmation comes after Bravo announced in November that he planned to “step away just for a bit” following being overlooked by the West Indies selectors for last month’s One-Day International series against England.

In an emotional post on social media platform Instagram, he said he had “taken some time to ponder and wonder” about his future in West Indies cricket, and while he was not “giving up”, believed a break would be the best move for his career.

He gave no clear indication of the length of the break, but said it was proving difficult to continue finding motivation amid the ongoing selection disappointments.

“At this point in my career it’s not easy or should I say it takes a lot to continue to find the energy, the passion, commitment and discipline to be able to perform to the best of my ability and put myself in a position to make my return to international cricket.”

Bravo, who last played for the West Indies in January 2022 in a T20 International against England, led the Red Force to victory in last November’s Super50 Cup, in which he was the leading run-scorer. Earlier in the year, Bravo also had the second-highest aggregate in the four-day competition.

Subsequent to his snub for the England ODI series, Bravo was contacted by director of cricket for Cricket West Indies (CWI) Miles Bascombe about going on the Test tour of Australia, but according to CWI, he declined the offer.

Speaking on the Mason and Guest cricket radio show in Barbados last Tuesday, Furlonge admitted he was “surprised” that Bravo had turned down the chance to tour, but added that, “I know he’s disappointed at not being selected in the 50 overs against England but we have to move on. Hopefully he gets back himself. He has made himself available for Trinidad. We’ll see how that goes from there.”

Furlonge also said: “I respect his decision, I know what he is going through...I believe he will have to start over and have another good year before he’s considered for (West Indies) selection again.”

The Leewards started the fourth and final day 243-7 after 87 overs, trailing the Red Force 175 runs in their first innings with Rakheem Cornwall (33) and Hayden Walsh (18) at the crease.

Cornwall and Walsh had put on 43 for the eighth wicket before the end of play on day three and they continued their solid batting to start day four, stretching their partnership to 83 in the 95^th over before Cornwall fell at the hands of Bryan Charles for 67 off 95 balls.

Eleven runs and three overs later, Colin Archibald became the ninth wicket to fall, going off the bowling of Khary Pierre for 10.

Walsh was the last man to go for 31 as the Hurricanes were bowled out for 302 in 100.1 overs, allowing the Red Force to bat again with a lead of 116.

Bryan Charles led the way with the ball for the Trinidadians with 4-84 in 29.1 overs while Khary Pierre provided good support with 3-63 in 30 overs.

In a change, Darren Bravo joined regular opener Keagan Simmons at the top of the innings to begin the Red Force’s quest to set a good total.

Their quest did not get off to the best of starts as Simmons was bowled by Sheeno Berridge for one off seven balls.

Regular opener Jeremy Solozano batted three this time around and put on 85 with Bravo for the second wicket before Berridge added to his tally, getting him caught behind for 26 in the 21^st over.

During that partnership. Bravo brought up his fifty off 66 balls in the 19^th over with the score on 73.

Upon the fall of Solozano’s wicket, the vastly experienced Jason Mohammed then joined his captain and the pair put of 28 before Mohammed fell to Kofi James for 12 in the 29^th over.

Tion Webster then joined Bravo but fell quickly for just three in the 31^st over.

Terrance Hinds was next up and he made a spritely 12-ball 16 before he became James’ third wicket, going in the 35^th over.

That was the last wicket to fall as Bravo and Amir Jangoo put on a 37-run partnership before the red Force declared their second innings on 183-5 in 43.4 overs, leaving the Hurricanes needing 300 to win.

The declaration came as Bravo brought up his second century of the match off 153 balls. His knock included 10 fours.

The Leewards reached 72-1 off 23 overs when the game was declared a draw with Montcin Hodge on 34 and Kacey Carty 11. Kieran Powell earlier made 21.

Scores: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 418-9 declared off 126.5 overs (Darren Bravo 100, Imran Khan 92, Yannic Cariah 52, Terrance Hinds 51, Jeremiah Louis 3-78, Colin Archibald 3-111) and 183-5 declared off 43.4 overs (Darren Bravo 100*, Jeremy Solozano 26, Kofi James 3-39, Sheeno Berridge 2-32)

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 302 off 100.1 overs (Keacy Carty 95, Rakheem Cornwall 67, Bryan Charles 4-84, Khary Pierre 3-63, Yannic Cariah 2-24) and 72-1 off 23 overs (Montcin Hodge 34*, Kieran Powell 21)

Bravo captained the Red Force in the recent CG United Super50 Cup staged in Trinidad and emerged as the leading batter as the hosts clinched the title with an unbeaten run.

However, after being overlooked for the WI One-Day International squad for the recent home series against England, which the West Indies won 2-1, the 34-year-old announced that he was stepping away from the game “just for a bit”.

Furlonge confirmed Bravo’s decision to take a break, explaining that the stylish left-hander, who is contracted by the franchise, has taken his vacation entitlement and wasn’t due back until next year.

However, with plans already being drawn up for the next four-day tournament, Furlonge said he will have to speak with Bravo before the new year to see where the player is at.

After Bravo’s initial announcement on social media in late November, the Red Force coach, who is also chairman of the senior selection panel, was optimistic that the middle order batter would be available for the red-ball regional tournament.

However, it was reported that Bravo was contacted by Cricket West Indies director of cricket Miles Bascombe about going on next month’s Test tour of Australia but he declined the offer.

Meanwhile, Furlonge said: “He (Bravo) is not due back until next year but I will have a conversation before that.”

“We will need to know where we are at because we will have to name a captain who will be involved in selection and preparations for the four-day tournament coming up,” the Red Force coach continued.

“I will have to meet with him soon to get an update. He is still basically on vacation. He has not said anything about the four-day as yet. From a team point of view, we will want to know if he is available or not because he is the captain,” Furlonge added.

Bravo captained the Red Force in the previous West Indies Championship season and finished the season with 446 runs from five matches which included two centuries and one half-century.

The only other batter to score more runs than Bravo in the four-day competition was Alick Athanaze with 647 runs.

The Red Force finished fourth on the six-team standings with the Guyana Harpy Eagles clinching the first-class title, the Windward Islands Volcanoes coming in second and the Barbados Pride placing third.

The Leeward Islands Hurricanes finished fifth and Jamaica Scorpions were last.

The returning John Campbell will lead a 13-man Jamaica Scorpions squad for the first few rounds of the 2025 West Indies Championship set to begin on Wednesday. Campbell, 31, will be playing first class cricket for the first time since June 2022 when he represented the West Indies against Bangladesh in St. Lucia.