2026 WEST INDIES CHAMPIONSHIP: ROUND 2 RECAP

Four days of gripping first class cricket produced one emphatic winner, a chaotic draw, and an abandonment across the second round of the West Indies Championship.

An all-round masterclass from veteran spinner Veerasammy Permaul helped the Guyana Harpy Eagles sweep aside the Windward Islands Volcanoes by an innings and 141 runs inside three days at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Nial Smith's five-wicket grab on the opening morning and subsequent finish with figures of 5-36, reduced the Volcanoes to 151 all out, but Guyana’s real statement of intent came during their turn at the crease as they piled on a remarkable 491.

Resuming day three on 361 for eight, Permaul, batting at number nine, contributed an unbeaten 82 off 150 balls, sharing stands of 74 with Shamar Joseph (46) and 86 with Smith (37), both players’ career best first-class batting performances, to extend the lead to 340.

Gudakesh Motie led the bowling response in the Volcanoes' second innings, claiming 5-51 to continue his remarkable record this season, but it was Permaul who finished the contest in emphatic style, ending with 4-20 from a short, devastating spell.

Ackeem Auguste's fighting 91 was the lone act of real resistance before Permaul dismissed Darel Cyrus and Gilon Tyson off consecutive deliveries to seal back-to-back victories for the defending champions.

Volcanoes Head Coach Keon Peters praised the opposition’s fortitude during the contest.

“The Guyanese played good all-round cricket. They really kept us on track. When you look at their bowling, they really stayed patient even though at times we were on top. You could see they were just waiting for that opportunity and unfortunately, we created those opportunities and they capitalized.”

Veteran off spinner Permaul, currently the highest wicket taker in regional first-class cricket, expressed his delight at being able to contribute to his team’s emphatic victory on both sides of the ball.

“It’s always good to add with the bat to the team. Over the years I’ve been making some useful contributions down the order. It also helps as a senior player in the team with the experience of playing over the years, so adding value to the team is most important.”

Centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite and Kevin Wickham revived Barbados Pride’s push for a playoff spot, as they secured crucial first-innings points in a drawn contest against the Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park.

Kirk McKenzie continued his impressive start to the championship with a stroke-filled 114, striking 17 fours and a six to register his fourth first-class century. He featured in a commanding opening stand of 202 alongside captain John Campbell, who fell just short of a century with 96.

McKenzie credited his outstanding form to extensive preseason preparation, which began in November, as well as the stability of batting alongside his captain at the top of the order.

“It was a very good innings, started slowly again like the last innings and it was great to score a century at my home ground. Being at the next end with the captain has been great because his very calm presence helped guide me through the innings.” Mckenzie said.

Shamar Springer’s 3 for 99 sparked a middle-order collapse, as the Jamaica Scorpions slipped from a strong 367 for 4 to be dismissed for 457.

Barbados Pride responded confidently, with Kraigg Brathwaite and Shayne Moseley putting together a resolute opening stand of 105. Brathwaite went on to compile his 34th first-class century in his typically meticulous style, anchoring the innings as Kevin Wickham continued his outstanding start to the season with a third consecutive hundred.

In contrast to his previous innings, Wickham paced his knock superbly, manoeuvring the bowling with patience and control to reach a composed yet impressive century. His 105 from 181 deliveries included 11 fours and a six, helping Barbados Pride surpass the Scorpions’ total before declaring at 626 for 8.

Brathwaite top-scored with 176, while Kyle Mayers added an enterprising 84. Wickham later credited Brathwaite’s calming presence at the crease as key to their 195-run third-wicket partnership.

“Sharing the spotlight with Kraigg was good because, there was a passage of play where I got restless, he came down talked to me which brought me back to a level head, so batting with him is an honour.” Wickham shared.

The Scorpions, faced with a deficit of 169, closed out the encounter at 90 for 4 halfway through the 40th over before the game was called off.

Dangerous playing conditions put a damper on proceedings at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium as Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force played to a draw after three days of intense action, enjoyed mostly by the bowlers.

Anderson Phillip's six-wicket haul had the Leeward Islands Hurricanes bowled out for just 131 on the first day, before fast bowlers Kelvin Pitman (6-52) and Oshane Thomas (3-52) turned the contest on its head, reducing the Red Force to 175 all out in reply.

A spirited, unbeaten 51 from Jyd Goolie, who batted through the tail to add 44 crucial runs with last man Jayden Seales, gave the Red Force a first innings lead of 44. Seales then took all six wickets which fell on the second day during Hurricanes' second innings to end the day with stunning figures of 6-33.

At 140 for seven in that second innings on the following day, the match was poised for a thrilling conclusion, but it never came.

The contest was brought to an abrupt halt when Jeremiah Louis was struck by a delivery from Seales which led umpires Leslie Reifer and Zahid Bassarath to declare the pitch unfit and dangerous. Louis was taken for medical treatment but has since been discharged and is currently under observation from his medical team who will determine his readiness ahead of the third-round fixtures.