January 8th, 2019,

Montcin Hodge – Photo courtesy ESPNcricinfo

The West Indian Championship (WIC) resumed last weekend following the holiday break. Guyana Jaguars continued their dominance with a comfortable six wicket win over a star studded Barbados Pride. Jaguars scored a mammoth 548 with Chanderpaul Hemraj (144) and Anthony Bramble (130*) leading the charge. Raymon Reifer scored 75 and Sherfane Rutherford 54 in partnerships with Bramble. For the Pride, Ashley Nurse was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 122. Barbados in reply were asked to follow on after scoring 360, Shane Dowrich top-scored with 81, and Jonathan Carter 68. Veerasammy Permaul picked up 4 for 124 and Reifer 2 for 38 . Following on Pride posted 232 to  set the Jaguars 45 to win with Roston Chase hitting 68 and Dowrich 61. Permaul bagged another 4fer, 4 for 73 and was well supported again by Reifer with 3 for 53. Guyana were sprung a rearguard surprise as Kemar Roach and Miguel Cummins pick up to two wickets each to derail a cruise to the finish, yet is was not enough to avoid Guyana notching their third win in as many matches this term

Like the Jaguars, Leeward Islands Hurricanes made light work of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. After winning the toss Hurricanes elected to bat first, posting a convincing total of 425. Montcin Hodge led the way with 158, Rakheem Cornwall 65, and Jeremiah Louis support with 51 not out. Pacers Shannon Gabriel and Daniel St Clair nabbed three wickets each for the Red Force. In reply Trinidad and Tobago could only muster 252, with Jeremy Solozano continuing his impressive form with 80, with Bryan Charles scoring 39 down the order. Cornwall snared 4 for 73 and Alzarri Joseph 3 for 80. In the second innings the Hurricanes declared on  168/6 with M. Hodge adding an unbeaten 77 to his first innings ton. Gabriel was again this pick of the bowlers from the Red Force with 3 for 35 while Bryan Charles picked up two wickets. Defending 342 the Leewards, swirled the Trinbagoian side into pandemonium as they were routed for 96. Alzarri Joseph 4 for 22 and Cornwall 4 for 29 leaving the Red Force with much to ponder. Hurricanes winning by 246 runs on the road to jump to second in the standings behind the Jaguars.

Windwards Volcanoes recorded their second consecutive come from behind win as they overturned Jamaica Scorpions’ first innings lead. Scorpions batting first posted 210 with Assad Fudadin 81 and Chadwick Walton 52. Kaveem Hodge picked up 4 for 40 and Jost Thomas 2 for 42. Volcanoes we stung for a paltry 113 as Rovman Powell displayed his venom with the ball with 5 for 23. Jamaica returned 189 to set the Windwards 287 to win. Fudadin added 48 to go along with his first innings top-score, alongside cameos from Jermaine Blackwood 35 and Aldaine Thomas 31. Jost Thomas 4 for 44 and Kaveem Hodge 2 for 34 led the bowling again for the Volcanoes. Facing an imposing total batting last in a day-night affair, Winwards made their way home quite handsomely with five wickets in hand. Kirk Edwards 76, Kaveem Hodge 59 not out and Roland Cato 54 guided the Volcanoes home.