ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Academy ended this year’s West Indies Championship on a high by thrashing a hapless Windward Volcanoes by 10 wickets, while defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles have one hand on the trophy after putting up a strong performance at the end of play on the second day.
Johann LayneMeanwhile, the Combined Campuses and Colleges are in sight of victory against the Jamaica Scorpions heading into Friday’s third day of play.
At the Coolidge Cricket Ground: Led by a masterful display of fast bowling by Johann Layne, the West Indies Academy earned their first win of the competition by dismissing the Jamaica Scorpions by 10 wickets inside two days.
After conceding a first innings lead of 147 runs, the Volcanoes’ batsmen folded for the second time in the match with Layne’s six-wicket haul limiting them to 181.
Layne grabbed 6-30 and was on a hat-trick after dismissing captain Alick Athanaze and Noelle Leo in successive deliveries but his effort was foiled by Ryan John.
His performance had helped to reduce the Volcanoes to 78 for four, until Athanaze and Shadrack Descarte stemmed the flow of wickets in a 74-partnership that ensured the WI Academy would have to bat again.
But once Athanaze lost his wicket to leave them 152 for five, the end came swiftly with the Volcanoes losing their remaining five wickets for just 29 runs.
Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop chipped in with 2-73.
Needing only 34 runs for victory, Ackeem Auguste then blazed an unbeaten 33 from 17 balls to propel the WI Academy to their target without any alarms.
Earlier, after resuming on 197 for five, the WI Academy added a further 56 runs to be eventually dismissed for 253 in reply to the Volcanoes’ first innings total of 106.
Kenneth Dember was the Volcanoes’ best bowler with 6-45.
At the Queens Park Oval: Leaders Guyana Harpy Eagles took one step towards retaining their title after dominating proceedings against second placed Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.
The Red Force added 23 runs to their total after resuming the day on 214 for seven, to be dismissed for 240.
Medium pacer Nial Smith took 4-49, while Kemo Paul (3-45) and Ronaldo Alimohamed (2-42) provided good support.
Raymond Perez and Kevlon Anderson then cracked half centuries to help the visitors earn crucial first innings honours, as they ended the day on 269 for five, an overall lead of 29 runs.
Perez scored 82 from 144 balls and Anderson made 51 off 62 deliveries, and the two put the Harpy Eagles in a good position at 131 for one, following a 58-run opening partnership between Perez and Matthew Nandu, who made 11.
Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre struck by trapping Perez lbw, but Anderson found a reliable partner in captain Tevin Imlach, with the pair adding 40 runs to help strengthen the Harpy Eagles’ position.
Pierre accounted for the wickets of both batsmen by bowling Anderson and having Imlach caught behind for 33 to leave the score 221 for four.
Shannon Gabriel then dismissed Kemol Savory for 32, but Kevin Sinclair (21 not out) and Keemo Paul (18 not out), ensured there would be no further losses as the Harpy Eagles closed on 269 for five.
Pierre has so far taken 3-61.
At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground: The Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) are well positioned to end the tournament in winning fashion after putting themselves in a dominant position against the Jamaica Scorpions.
After gaining a healthy first innings lead of 194, CCC reduced the Scorpions to 206 for five in their second innings, a lead of only 12 runs.
They owed their position of strength to Shaqkere Parris, who scored a maiden first-class century, which helped them to pile up 327 after they resumed the day on 197 for five.
Parris made 112 from 179 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes and shared an invaluable 86-run partnership with Larry Edward for the sixth wicket.
By the time leg spinner Abhijai Mansingh got the breakthrough by dismissing Edward for 44 to make the score 242 for five, most of the damage had already been done.
Parris fell to off spinner Peat Salmon soon after, and Mansingh wrapped up the tail to end with 5-91, while Salmon and Brad Barnes took two wickets apiece.
The Scorpions found themselves in a spot of bother early on in their second innings when they lost Kirk McKenzie and Brandon King cheaply, before captain John Campbell was forced to retire hurt.
Jermaine Blackwood and Javelle Glenn added 46 runs for the fourth wicket to take their side to 103, but Edward struck with his left-arm spin to claim the wicket of the former for 26 to put the pressure back on the Scorpions.
They needed a herculean effort from Glenn, who made 86 from 98 balls and Barnes, who made 30, to help them erase their first innings deficit.
However, CCC dismissed both batsmen in the final session, leaving the Scorpions requiring a miracle if they are to avoid defeat on Friday’s third day.
Edward has so far taken 3-47 for the CCC.
