West Indies Championship: Batters Dominate Opening Day
Jermaine Blackwood scored the first century of the 2025 West Indies Championship
Batters Shine Across Four Territories
Jermaine Blackwood scored the first century of the 2025 West Indies Championship as batters dominated the opening day contests in the four territories.
While Blackwood stroked an unbeaten 101 to help the Jamaica Scorpions reach 291 for seven against the Windward Island Volcanoes, eight other batters scored half-centuries to put their teams in strong positions.
Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in Strong Position
At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy: Despite rain only allowing 54 overs to be bowled, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force still ended the day in the ascendancy at 171 for two against the Combined Campuses and Colleges thanks to openers Cephas Cooper, who scored 80 and Vikash Mohan who made 66.
Much of the morning and afternoon session was lost due to persistent showers, but Cooper and Mohan put on 139 runs for the first wicket to give their side a solid start.
Jamaica Scorpions’ Recovery
At Arnos Vale: Former West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood scored a patient century to help rescue the Jamaica Scorpions in their match against the Windward Islands Volcanoes.
Blackwood ended the day unbeaten on 101 from 198 balls and, together with Daniel Beckford, who made a passive 39 from 101 balls, staged a recovery after the Scorpions had slipped to 164 for five.
Captain John Campbell cracked 79 from 91 balls at the top of the order.
So far, leg spinner Darel Cyrus has taken 2-26.
Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ Strong Start
Jahmar Hamilton scored a crucial, unbeaten 67 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. Karima Gore made 59 to lead the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to a strong position of 290 for six against the West Indies Academy.
Hamilton and Gore came together with the Hurricanes in a spot of bother at 128 for four after left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop had ripped through the top order.
The pair added 110 runs to carry their side to relative safety, and following Gore’s dismissal, Hamilton teamed up with Hayden Walsh Jr. to add 38 valuable runs to keep the Scorpions in the driving seat.
Bishop has so far taken 4-81.
Barbados Pride’s Solid Batting Effort
The Barbados Pride produced a solid batting effort at the Guyana National Stadium to ensure the defending champions, Guyana Harpy Eagles, toiled all day.
Despite half-centuries from opener Zachary McCaskie, who made 64, and Jonathan Drakes, who scored 70, a decisive spell of spin bowling by off-spinner Richie Looknauth put Guyana in control of the match with the visitors struggling on 191 for six.
But a counter-attacking knock of 82 from 91 balls by Matthew Forde and some resolute batting by the Pride’s lower order turned the contest around in the evening session.
Forde put on 119 for the seventh wicket with Chaim Holder, who made 35, and then fast bowler Chemar Holder blasted 29 from 30 balls with two sixes and two fours to ensure the Pride finished with a flourish.
Looknauth led the way for Guyana with Richie Looknauth 4-69, while Ronaldo Alimohamed and Veerasammy Permaul took two wickets apiece.
Conclusion
The opening day of the 2025 West Indies Championship saw batters dominate the contest, with several half-centuries and one century scored across the four territories. The Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, Jamaica Scorpions, and Leeward Islands Hurricanes all put themselves in strong positions, while the Barbados Pride produced a solid batting effort to keep their match against Guyana Harpy Eagles competitive.
FAQs
* Who scored the first century of the 2025 West Indies Championship?
+ Jermaine Blackwood
* Which team is in the strongest position after the opening day?
+ The Jamaica Scorpions, who reached 291 for seven against the Windward Island Volcanoes
* Who took the most wickets on the opening day?
+ Joshua Bishop, who took 4-81 for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes