Windward Islands Volcanoes, led by Gian Benjamin’s determined knock and Kenneth Dember’s unbeaten resilience, secured a slender first-innings lead over Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) on day two of their third-round West Indies Championship clash at Windsor Park on Thursday.
In response to CCC’s 216, the Volcanoes reached 232-8 at stumps, carving out a 16-run lead in a contest where momentum swung dramatically. Dember, unbeaten on 40, and Darel Cyrus, on 13, will resume batting on Friday’s third day, hoping to stretch the lead further.
Resuming on their overnight 137-5, CCC’s hopes of a strong total quickly faded. Damel Evelyn, who top-scored on day one with 53, was bowled by Ryan John without adding to his overnight tally—a massive early blow.
Wicketkeeper Demario Richards, who converted his overnight four into a battling 30, provided some lower-order resistance alongside Abhijai Mansingh, who finished unbeaten on 25. The duo added crucial runs before CCC’s innings unraveled.
Darel Cyrus, the standout bowler for the Volcanoes, struck twice in quick succession, removing Romario Greaves (15) and Avinash Mahabirsingh (1) to reduce CCC to 173-8.
Dember then trapped Richards in front for the ninth wicket, and Cyrus fittingly wrapped up the innings by bowling Ojay Shields (eight) to claim his five-wicket haul.
Cyrus finished with impressive figures of 5-71, his first five-wicket haul of the season, while Dember supported well with 3-68.
The Volcanoes’ reply started disastrously as CCC’s Akeem Jordan and Romario Greaves ripped through their top order.
Seamer Jordan struck early and often, removing Stephan Pascal and Kavem Hodge for ducks before dismissing Alick Athanaze (23) and Jeremy Solozano (25), leaving the Volcanoes reeling at 57-4.
Greaves, with his off-spin, then accounted for Sunil Ambris (14) and Shadrack Descarte (12), deepening the crisis at 80-6.
Just when the Volcanoes seemed on the brink, Benjamin stepped up with a composed 49. Partnering first with Ryan John, who contributed a gritty 23, the pair added 69 runs for the seventh wicket to stop the slide.
Even after John fell to Greaves, Benjamin continued the fight, forming another crucial 55-run eighth-wicket stand with Dember.
Benjamin’s 98-ball knock, which included five fours and a six, was a testament to his patience and determination under pressure, before it finally ended when he was caught off Mahabirsingh. But by then, the Volcanoes had edged closer to CCC’s total.
Dember, who looked assured at the crease, continued to frustrate the CCC bowlers alongside Cyrus, who joined him in the final session. The pair saw out the remaining overs and pushed the Volcanoes narrowly in front.
Jordan, who was relentless with his line and length, has so far taken 4-49, while Greaves, who was equally effective with his off-spin, ended the day with 3-55.