ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – With just one round remaining in the West Indies Championship bilateral series, the tension is mounting. Playoff berths remain fiercely contested heading into the third and final set of matches starting on Sunday, and every point could prove decisive.
Under this year’s format, the table-toppers after the bilateral series will punch their ticket straight to the final, May 17–20.
The second- and third-placed sides will then battle in a playoff May 10–14 for the remaining spot in the grand finale.
Reigning champions Guyana Harpy Eagles have looked ruthless so far, bagging two wins from two to lead the standings with 43.2 points.
Trinidad & Tobago Red Force sit second on 37, while Jamaica Scorpions, on 29.6, hold third, narrowly ahead of Barbados Pride 19.8. Those last two are set to collide in a crunch series finale at Sabina Park.
Guyana captain Tevin Imlach has warned his side against complacency as they prepare to face the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
“We will assess what that pitch looks like, and then we will come up with our game plan,” Imlach said. “This is how we play our cricket, by wanting to focus on one game at a time, because all we can control is what is in the present.”
Trinidad & Tobago have made one adjustment to their squad, handing spinner Ricky Jaipaul a call-up as Jayden Seales is rested for the final round.
Their opponents, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, have brought in Cameron Pennyfeather in place of Jeremiah Louis.
Red Force captain Joshua Da Silva backed his squad’s depth despite Seales’ absence. “The cricket we’ve been playing is fantastic. I can’t really fault the boys for the effort they have put in so far,” Da Silva said. “Even though we will miss Jayden for the final match, we have the depth in our squad to continue doing well.”
A maximum of 26 points, including bonuses, is still on offer from the final game. That means the Leeward Islands Hurricanes could climb as high as 36.8 points, and the Windward Islands Volcanoes to 33.6.
But with Jamaica and Barbados facing off, guaranteeing that at least one direct rival will gain ground, both remain on life support for a playoff spot.
Jamaica has made two changes, with Brandon King and Alex Hinds replacing Ojay Shields and Jeavor Royal. Head coach Robert Haynes has zeroed in on two key areas.
“We must improve on the catching; we dropped a few that cost us. If we took those, Barbados would’ve made no more than 400 or 300 runs, which would make for a more competitive game,” Haynes said. “We are looking at the fast-bowling department in terms of the new ball and having more penetration to put the opposition on the back foot.”
Barbados head coach Vasbert Drakes believes his side is building momentum. “We want to continue playing decent cricket. From a batting perspective, we are heading in the right trajectory and getting the scores where we can control Jamaica’s bowling,” Drakes said. “But in the bowling department, we need to find ways of nullifying their opening partnership, which has had a major impact on their team.”
After two rounds, Kevin Wickham tops the batting charts with 366 runs, followed by John Campbell, 298, and Kirk McKenzie, 290.
Among bowlers, Gudakesh Motie leads all comers with 16 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, ahead of Jayden Seales,13, and Peat Salmon, 10.
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