Joshua Bishop turned in a masterful bowling display to claim 6-78 and put West Indies Academy in a promising position, but their batting unit now faces a crucial test as they look to build on his efforts against Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in their sixth-round West Indies Championship clash.

Bishop’s 33-over spell, which included 10 maidens, played a pivotal role in restricting CCC to 238 on Wednesday’s opening day at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground. In response, the Academy reached 37-1 by stumps, still trailing by 201 runs, with Mbeki Joseph (22*) and Nathan Edward (4*) set to resume on Thursday.

After being asked to bat first, CCC started steadily but were pegged back by timely breakthroughs from the Academy bowlers. Damel Evelyn (23) and veteran opener Kieran Powell (12) provided a solid foundation, but Bishop and Jediah Blades struck in quick succession to reduce CCC to 62-2.

Captain Johann Jeremiah and Shaqkere Parris then steadied the innings with a composed 57-run partnership. Jeremiah, who showed patience with his 47 off 116 balls, including eight boundaries, seemed well set but was eventually caught off Bishop’s bowling, and that tilted the balance slightly in the Academy’s favour.

Parris, meanwhile, carried on positively and got to his half-century while stitching together a useful 49-run stand with Kyle Corbin. However, his resistance was cut short for a well-played 95-ball 52, which had four boundaries and one six, when he was bowled by Zishan Motara with the score at 168-4.

Motara then removed Daniel Williams (five), and Romario Greaves (one) was run out by Rivaldo Clarke, allowing the Academy to tighten their grip at 191-6. Corbin, who held the innings together with a gritty 48 from 112 balls, including five fours and a six, eventually became Bishop’s third victim, and from there, the left-arm spinner quickly mopped up the tail. He dismissed Akeem Jordan (14), Chemar Holder (zero), and Jaden Edmund (seven) in succession to wrap up CCC’s innings.

Motara provided solid support to Bishop with 2-57.

With the ball doing the job, the West Indies Academy turned their focus to making a strong reply. However, they suffered an early blow when Ackeem Auguste (five) was removed by Holder.

Joseph and Edward then steadied proceedings in the final session, as they saw off the remaining overs with minimum fuss.