ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Jermaine Blackwood scored the primary century of the 2025 West Indies Championship as batters dominated the opening day contests within the 4 territories.
Whereas Blackwood stroked an unbeaten 101 to assist the Jamaica Scorpions attain 291 for seven in opposition to the Windward Island Volcanoes, eight different batters scored half-centuries to place their groups in sturdy positions.
On the Brian Lara Cricket Academy: Regardless of rain solely permitting 54 overs to be bowled, Trinidad & Tobago Pink Pressure nonetheless ended the day within the ascendancy at 171 for 2 in opposition to the Mixed Campuses and Faculties due to openers Cephas Cooper, who scored 80 and Vikash Mohan who made 66.
A lot of the morning and afternoon session was misplaced as a consequence of persistent showers, however Cooper and Mohan placed on 139 runs for the primary wicket to provide their facet a strong begin.
At Arnos Vale: Former West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood scored a affected person century to assist rescue the Jamaica Scorpions of their match in opposition to the Windward Islands Volcanoes.
Blackwood ended the day unbeaten on 101 from 198 balls and, along with Daniel Beckford, who made a passive 39 from 101 balls, staged a restoration after the Scorpions had slipped to 164 for 5.
Captain John Campbell cracked 79 from 91 balls on the prime of the order.
To date, leg spinner Darel Cyrus has taken 2-26.
Jahmar Hamilton scored an important, unbeaten 67 on the Coolidge Cricket Floor. Karima Gore made 59 to guide the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to a powerful place of 290 for six in opposition to the West Indies Academy.
Hamilton and Gore got here along with the Hurricanes in a spot of trouble at 128 for 4 after left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop had ripped by the highest order.
The pair added 110 runs to hold their facet to relative security, and following Gore’s dismissal, Hamilton teamed up with Hayden Walsh Jr. so as to add 38 worthwhile runs to maintain the Scorpions within the driving seat.
Bishop has to date taken 4-81.
The Barbados Delight produced a strong batting effort on the Guyana Nationwide Stadium to make sure the defending champions, Guyana Harpy Eagles, toiled all day.
Regardless of 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 charge of the match with the guests struggling on 191 for six.
However a counter-attacking knock of 82 from 91 balls by Matthew Forde and a few resolute batting by the Delight’s decrease order turned the competition round within the night session.
Forde placed on 119 for the seventh wicket with Chaim Holder, who made 35, after which quick bowler Chemar Holder blasted 29 from 30 balls with two sixes and two fours to make sure the Delight completed with a flourish.
Looknauth led the best way for Guyana with Richie Looknauth 4-69, whereas Ronaldo Alimohamed and Veerasammy Permaul took two wickets apiece.
