Damel Evelyn played a crucial innings for Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC), scoring an unbeaten half-century as they closed a truncated first day of their third-round WI Championship match against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Windsor Park in Roseau. Only 52 overs were bowled in the day due to interruptions, but Evelyn’s patient and composed knock ensured CCC ended on 137 for 5.

Having won the toss and electing to bat first, CCC got off to a steady start with Johann Jeremiah leading the charge. Jeremiah struck 40 off 51 balls, hitting five fours and a six before he was dismissed by Kenneth Dember in the 19th over. Kieran Powell added 11 before he too fell to Dember, caught by Ryan John.

Evelyn, however, anchored the innings superbly, showing great resilience to remain unbeaten on 53 off 126 deliveries. His innings included seven boundaries as he carefully built his innings while wickets tumbled around him. He found some support from Shaqkere Parris, who contributed 19 before being trapped lbw by Kavem Hodge.

However, CCC suffered a quick double blow when Akeem Jordan and Sadique Henry both fell in the space of two deliveries, dismissed by Darel Cyrus. Jordan was bowled for a nine-ball duck, while Henry lasted just one delivery before edging to Hodge.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Demario Richards ensured there was no further damage before stumps, remaining not out on 4 as he supported Evelyn in seeing CCC through to the close.

For the Windward Islands, Dember and Cyrus took two wickets apiece, with Dember finishing with figures of 2 for 46 in 16 overs, and Cyrus being particularly economical, claiming 2 for 28 in 18 overs. Hodge also chipped in with a wicket, conceding just two runs in his six-over spell.

With play set to resume on day two, CCC will be looking to build on their overnight total, with Evelyn aiming to convert his half-century into a significant score and push his team towards a competitive first-innings total.