CWI Regional Four-Day tourney: Blackwood’s century keeps Guyana Harpy Eagles at bay

By Brandon Corlette in Trinidad

West Indies Test Vice-Captain Jermaine Blackwood has displayed grit and determination in scoring his eighth first-class century at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex in Trinidad and Tobago.

In this fourth-round clash of Cricket West Indies’ Regional Four-Day Championships between Guyana Harpy Eagles and Jamaica Scorpions, the Jamaicans reached 282-6 at stumps on the opening day.
Blackwood produced a rock-solid 110, while wicketkeeper-batsman Aldane Thomas was unbeaten on 35.
Under clear skies at the picturesque Diego Martin Sporting Complex, which is only for the second time hosting first-class matches, the Jamaicans won the toss and opted to bat first. Leroy Lugg came and played a full-blooded drive in the air, and was caught at backward point off the bowling of Demetri Cameron, to leave the Jamaican score at 17-1.

Test players Jermaine Blackwood and John Campbell joined forces, and gathered runs at a decent pace as they featured in a 52-run partnership. The duo exploited the good batting surface and fast outfield, and Campbell struck Sinclair for a sweet shot in the cover boundary off the first ball of his spell, and swept another one in disdain; but he played one shot too many, and was trapped leg-before in attempting to sweep another straight delivery. He departed for 37 from 57 balls, including seven fours, and with the score on 69-2 after 19.4 overs.

Sinclair then struck again, trapping Orain Williams for a golden duck. He found himself on a hat-trick, but Paul Palmer and Blackwood took Scorpions to lunch at 90-3, with the composed right-hander Blackwood on 31 while Palmer was on 12.
The second ball bowled after lunch, a slower and well-flighted delivery from Gudakesh Motie, had Palmer caught for 18, and reduced Scorpions to 99-4 after 31.2 overs.
When the burly Alwyn Williams came to the crease, he provided great support for Blackwood. The duo added 112 runs to the score in a partnership that gave Scorpions the momentum.

At the tea interval, Jamaica had reached 166-4 after 61 overs. Blackwood was unbeaten on 66, while Williams was unbeaten on 33. Sinclair had 2-58 at that point, while Motie and Cameron each had one wicket.
In the final session, Williams pushed on to reach his maiden first-class fifty, but was removed for 51 from 113 balls. He struck eight fours before being caught by Akshaya Persaud, who was under the bat.
Derval Green joined the determined Blackwood, and the duo added 25 runs to the score before Green, who was hitting the ball hard, struck Persaud at forward short-leg.

Blackwood, who played some delightful shots, suffered some cramping, but he limped to his milestone, his eighth first-class century, which he reached in 229 balls and after 266 minutes.
Right-handed wicketkeeper- batsman Aldane Thomas was unbeaten on 35 from 40 balls, which he scored in a shotgun innings that included eight fours. Blackwood ended the day on 110 from 251 balls. His innings included 14 fours and one six. Motie had 2-39 from 21 overs, while Kevin Sinclair had 2-74. Cameron and Permaul each had one wicket.
The second day’s play would commence from 10:00h Eastern Caribbean time with Blackwood and Thomas looking to add runs to Jamaica’s 282-6.

Summary in other matches: Trinidad and Tobago: 133 all out. Imran Khan 29, Terrence Hinds 25. Jomel Warrican 3-21, Akeem Jordan 2-17. Barbados: 87-2. Raymon Reifer 32*
Leeward Islands v Windwards: 301-9 (90). Colin Archibald 104* Jahmar Hamilton 52. Preston McSween 4-78.