Barbados-born England fast bowler Jofra Archer delivered an extraordinary performance on the opening day of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Elite Division three-day Championship on Saturday, capturing 5-7 to lead Wildey into a dominant position against ESA Field Pickwick.

Playing at the SJPI ground, Archer, in his return to Barbados cricket, bowled eight overs in two sharp spells, as Pickwick struggled to deal with his pace and accuracy, being bowled out for just 61 in 30 overs after being sent in. Wildey captain Jerome Jones also proved effective, taking three wickets for a mere three runs in his seven-over spell of left-arm spin, contributing to Pickwick's dismal collapse.

By the close of play, Wildey solidified their hold on the match, reaching 112 for one off 24 overs. Demetrius Richards remained unbeaten on 41, and Nimar Bolden was not out on 36, guiding their side into a strong position. The pair shared an unbroken 58-run partnership, following Zachary McCaskie's solid contribution of 34, as Wildey built a healthy lead.

Elsewhere in the competition, there were other standout performances across the island.

At Bank Hall, half-centuries from captain Akeem Springer (67) and Mikhail Austin (65) propelled Fusionz Boutique Spartan to 254 for eight after winning the toss against defending champions Empire. The pair added 90 for the third wicket, giving Spartan the upper hand, before Empire's spinners Jomel Warrican and Nathan Sealy, both recently returned from CPL duties, pegged back Spartan, sharing five wickets between them.

At Lester Vaughan, Superb Blend Gladiola captain Matthew Jones also produced a fine spell, taking five for 69 as his side bowled out SigniaGlobe Financial BCA Youth for 217. Gladiola closed the day at 42 without loss, setting the stage for a strong reply.

Meanwhile, at Friendship, left-arm spinner Steve Pinder’s five-wicket haul helped IGS Insurance Brokers Yorkshire dismiss UWI for 254, despite some late resistance from Chemar Holder (47) and Shaquan Cave (50), who added 78 for the eighth wicket. Yorkshire responded with 79 for one by stumps.

Finally, at Beckles Road, Bayview Hospital YMPC posted the highest total of the day, declaring at 280 for seven, with opener Raymond Kellman blasting 80 off 48 balls. Captain Kemal Smith (68) and Jadan Jones (57) also contributed valuable runs against Championship leaders Wanderers, who faced a tough battle ahead.

The BCA Elite Division's first day of Series 5 produced captivating cricket, with Jofra Archer’s sensational five-wicket performance stealing the spotlight as Wildey asserted their dominance.

West Indies pace bowler Chemar Holder has signed for Durham to bolster the side for their final three Championship games of the county season.

The 26-year-old will replace New Zealand's Neil Wagner, who damaged his shoulder against Nottinghamshire in August.

Holder played his sole Test in New Zealand in December 2020 and also appeared in a one-day international against Bangladesh the following month.

“With international call-ups and a number of injuries, it was extremely important to bring in an additional seamer, and we are pleased to have secured a bowler of Holder’s quality," said director of cricket Marcus North.

Holder, who had a spell with Warwickshire in 2021, has taken 89 wickets in 27 first-class matches at an average of 29.60, claiming five or more in an innings on five occasions.

"It feels very good to be a part of Durham and to be playing county cricket for a second time," the Barbadian said.

He will be available for Monday's game against Lancashire at the Riverside.

Middle-order batsman Shamarh Brooks and fast bowler Chemar Holder have been recalled to a 17-man provisional squad for the Betway Test Series against Pakistan, starting on Thursday, August 12. However, there is no room for left-hander Darren Bravo and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel.

Holder made his Test debut against New Zealand last year but has not featured since then. Brooks, meanwhile, also last played against New Zealand and has earned a recall following a polished century in the Best v Best four-day match last week.

“Chemar Holder returns, having recovered from his injury. He will bolster the fast bowling department. Shamarh Brooks batted his way into the provisional squad by scoring an accomplished century. He will certainly add some depth to the squad’s batting,” said Chief Selector Roger Harper in explaining the recall of the two players.

Regarding Gabriel’s omission, Harper said the player is being given time to work on his fitness.

“Shannon Gabriel has been given time to rehab fully and build his conditioning, so he was not part of the preparations for the Test series against Pakistan, which included the Best v Best game. Darren Bravo has been part of the ‘bubble’ from the preparation camp leading into the Betway Test series against South Africa and has been given a break,” Harper said.

“I expect the team to be highly competitive in every department while playing with passion, purpose and determination. I look forward to the batsmen stepping up as they did in the series against Bangladesh and against Sri Lanka earlier this year in Antigua.”

The two-match Betway Test Series will be played at Sabina Park from August 12-16 and August 20-24. The Betway Test Series forms the first of six Series in the new cycle of the International Cricket Council World Test Championship to find the best Test match cricket team in the world.

FULL SQUAD: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice-Captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Jomel Warrican.

The Jermaine Blackwood-led WI Best A find themselves in a commanding position at the end of the first day of their four-day match against Jahmar Hamilton’s WI Best B at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia.

At stumps, WI Best ‘B’ are 44-4 from the 15 overs they faced, 220 runs behind WI Best ‘A’ who scored 264 all out.

Blackwood led from the front scoring 85 while Shai Hope got 79 as the WI Best A got to 254 for 5 before collapsing to 264 all. Roston Chase did the late damage taking 4-44 from 11.3 overs.

Earlier, Chemar Holder took 3 for 44, to keep the batters in check after John Campbell and Hope got the WI Best A to a fast start, racing to 47-0 after just 10 overs with Jayden Searles and Preston McSween bearing the brunt of the onslaught.

Chemar Holder broke the partnership with the score at 62 when he got Campbell for 20.

Darren Bravo and Hope added 42 before Holder dismissed Bravo for seven and Kyle Mayers in consecutive deliveries as WI Best A slipped to 104 for 3.

At 123 for 3, Searles for Hope for 79.

Meanwhile, Blackwood, who was on eight when Hope got out, put together a 54-run stand with Joshua Da Silva, who was eventually bowled by Jomel Warrican for 13.

Kavem Hodge and Blackwood then took the score to 254 when the captain fell for 85 and triggered a collapse as Chase knifed through the lower order and saw the side lose their last five wickets for 10 runs.

When the B side batted, they lost Kieran Powell for 22, Shayne Moseley for 1, Nkrumah Bonner for a duck and Shamarh Brooks for 13 as Keon Harding took 2-23, Nial Smith 1-5 and Shannon Gabriel 1-15.

There was little interest in West Indies players at the 2021 IPL Auction held in Chennai earlier today.

Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, and Rovman Powell are among 19 West Indies players who have been shortlisted for the Indian Premier League draft set for Chennai on February 18 at the ITC Grand Chola.

Legendary West Indies captain, Clive Lloyd, insists the current crop of players must learn to play in all conditions if the team is to eventually emerge from the doldrums of world cricket.

In the aftermath of the recent squad selection for the West Indies tour of Bangladesh, plenty of eyebrows were raised not only due to the absence of 12 first team players but following the non-selection of promising young fast bowler Chemar Holder for the Test cricket squad.

The team has the typical fast-bowling trio of Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, and Alzarri Joseph but with captain Jason Holder opting out of the tour, many thought Chemar would have been a natural replacement, particularly after a promising debut in difficult circumstances last month.

Cricket West Indies chief of selectors Clive Lloyd, however, explained that the panel had chosen to include more spinners at the expense of Holder, due to the nature of spin-friendly surfaces in Bangladesh.  Lloyd believes the decision could cost the young bowler valuable experience.

“These guys need to play in those countries where it’s not that helpful and you learn to bowl a better line and length,” Lloyd told the Mason and Guest radio show.

“On the dead pitches, someone like (Collin) Croft would still be disconcerting.  He would be getting it up into your neck.  The point is that our fast bowlers bowled well on any kind of wicket,” he added.

“Our bowlers were not deterred by slow pitches and that is what our youngsters have to learn, to bowl on pitches that are not responsive.  Dennis Lille, when he realized the pitch was not helping, he would cut down his run and bowl a different kind of delivery, cutters, and so on and make you think about your cricket.  So did Richard Hadlee, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, all these guys would have learned to bowl on wickets that are not responsive.  If we are just going to rest people because the wickets are not responsive then something is wrong.”