Leeward Islands Thunder Inflict First Defeat on Trinidad and Tobago Legions

TAROUBA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – MAY 02: Jewel Andrew of Leeward Islands Thunder during match 10 of the West Indies Breakout T20 League between Leeward Islands Thunder and Trinidad and Tobago Legions at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium on May 02, 2025 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Daniel Prentice/CWI)

Match Summary

TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Micah McKenzie led with the ball, and Jewel Andrew starred with the bat as the Leeward Islands Thunder inflicted the first defeat on the Trinidad and Tobago Legions in the West Indies Breakout League here on Friday.

Legions’ opener Amir Jangoo struck an enterprising half-century as the home side posted 151 for eight from their 20 overs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy after being sent in by the visitors.

McKenzie grabbed four wickets with his leg breaks to help orchestrate a middle-order collapse that sucked all of the life out of the Legions’ innings.

Andrew struck 47 from 28 balls as the Thunder comfortably chased down their target, finishing on 152 for seven with 18 balls to spare.

First Innings

Jangoo was the mainstay of the Legions’ total, with his 52 requiring 39 balls and containing five fours and two sixes.

Together with Kamil Pooran, they took the Legions to a comfortable position of 80 for two in the 12th over during a 44-run partnership.

But things went downhill after McKenzie trapped Pooran lbw for six to grab his second wicket of the match.

McKenzie then had Jangoo caught five runs later, and with his next delivery, he had Navin Bidaisee lbw for a first-ball duck to see the Legions slip to 85 for five.

The home side was rescued by Johann Layne, who hit an unbeaten 22 off 10 balls, and Joshua James, who finished on 13 not out from eight balls after they fell into even further trouble at 114 for eight in the 18th over.

Second Innings

McKenzie finished with figures 4-25, and Cameron Pennyfeather supported with 2-21.

The Thunder found themselves in trouble early on when Shaaron Lewis dismissed Jaime Cornelius for a duck, and Layne accounted for Mikyle Louis, leaving the score 24 for two.

However, Andrew and opener Kofi James put on 62 runs for the third wicket to help them rebuild their innings.

After James fell for 36 and Andrew lost his wicket for 47 to see them slide to 115 for four, Giovonte Depeiza scored 32 to carry them within sight of the finish before losing his wicket with seven runs needed for victory.

Layne took 2-28 at a medium pace, while off-spinner Navin Bidaisse claimed 2-36.

Conclusion

The Thunder handed the Legions, who are top of the table, their first loss in four outings. However, they remain the only unbeaten team in the competition, with three wins from three matches.