West Indies Academy bowlers Johann Layne, Nyeem Young and Isai Thorne enjoyed bowlers-friendly conditions on the opening day of the first four-day match first-class against the visiting Emerging Ireland at Coolidge Cricket Ground, on Saturday.
The visitors won the toss and batted first, but the beanpole Layne picked up the wickets of the Irish opening batsmen Stephen Doheny and James McCollum for three and six respectively.
Then came a 128-run third-wicket partnership between Cade Carmichael and Murray Commins. Carmichael stroked nine fours on his way to 59, while Commins fell seven runs short of a century, as he struck 17 fours for his 93 runs. Emerging Ireland finished on 213 all out in 61.3 overs. Thorne, Layne and Young finished with three wickets a piece, with figures of 9.3-3-33-3, 10-0-43-3 and 11-2-56-3 respectively.
WI Academy
In their turn at the batting crease, openers Ackeem Auguste and Matthew Nandu were unsettled by the pace of Ireland’s opening pacer Matthew Foster, who got the ball to bounce and seam just as the West Indies pacers did in the first innings. Auguste was the first to go, bowled by Foster for five and Nandu departed shortly after, caught for one also off Foster.
An innings-steadying third-wicket partnership of 68 between Teddy Bishop and Kevlon Anderson took the West Indies Academy to 76-2 at the close of play. Bishop and Anderson both played patient innings, with Bishop striking seven fours and a six to finish the day on 48 not out and Anderson ended with 20 not out which included two fours.
Captain Young was full of praises for his bowlers, saying
“Very happy to restrict Ireland today. The bowlers stepped up, the spinners played their part in keeping it tight and the pacers were able to execute and get some wickets. Johann had the first three wickets of the match, and we were saying he has two first-class fifers on this ground, so that’s why we pushed him during his spells. Our fast bowlers succeed at this ground especially in four-day cricket.”
Play continues at 10am (9am Jamaica time) on Day 2 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. Fans can stream all the action on the Windies Cricket YouTube