Despite a sparkling, boundary-studded maiden List A century from 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Jewel Andrew, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Academy suffered a nail-biting one-wicket defeat against hosts Emerging Ireland. This loss handed the Irish an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match One-day series.
Andrew’s impressive run-a-ball 143, featuring 12 fours and seven sixes, formed the backbone of the CWI Academy’s innings after they were put in to bat at the Bready Cricket Club. The young Antiguan’s efforts propelled the visitors to a competitive total of 278 for eight from their 50 overs.
However, Emerging Ireland, led by a determined Matthew Humphreys, who was unbeaten on 39, chased down the target, finishing on 279 for nine with just one ball to spare. Johann Layne, a West Indies Under-19 pacer, claimed three wickets for 55 runs, but it was not enough to prevent the hosts from snatching victory in a thrilling finish.
Andrew’s heroics and CWI Academy’s struggles
CWI Academy’s innings got off to a rocky start. Liam McCarthy dismissed Ackeem Auguste for a second-ball duck in the second over and Leonardo Julien for 18 in the sixth over, leaving the visitors at 24 for two. Andrew then stabilized the innings with crucial partnerships, adding 73 runs for the third wicket with Teddy Bishop, 65 for the fifth wicket with Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, and 101 for the sixth wicket with captain Nyeem Young.
Andrew reached his century off 114 balls and continued to push the score forward until he was dismissed off the last ball of the penultimate over. Bishop contributed 19 before being trapped lbw by leg-spinner Gavin Hoey, while Bowen-Tuckett made 20 before being run out. Young’s aggressive 54 off 46 balls, featuring five sixes, further bolstered the CWI Academy total.
Tight bowling and a dramatic finish
In response, Emerging Ireland’s chase began cautiously, with the CWI Academy bowlers keeping them to 37 for one in the first Power Play. Nyeem Young bowled opener Jake Egan for 11 in the eighth over. Emerging Ireland found stability through an 84-run innings from De Freitas and a 53-run knock from Topping, who shared a 100-run partnership for the third wicket.
The match swung in favor of the CWI Academy when Layne and Simmonds made significant breakthroughs, leaving the hosts at 240 for nine. However, an unexpected twist came when Simmonds, who had been effective with two for 50, pulled up with an injury, forcing Andrew to bowl the final over.
Known more for his wicketkeeping than bowling, Andrew conceded 15 runs in the final over, including a decisive six off the penultimate ball by Humphreys, which sealed a dramatic win for Emerging Ireland.
Looking ahead
The series concludes on Friday with the final One-day match at Bready. The teams will then transition to two four-day, first-class matches starting June 18 at North Down and June 25 at Stormont. This series is part of a reciprocal agreement between Cricket Ireland and CWI, following Emerging Ireland’s tour to the Caribbean last November.
CWI Academy: 278-8 in 50 overs (Jewel Andrew 143, Nyeem Young 54; Liam McCarthy 2-29, Gavin Hoey 2-46) Emerging Ireland: 279-9 in 49.5 overs (De Freitas 84, Topping 53, Humphreys 39*; Johann Layne 3-55, Nyeem Young 2-67)
Emerging Ireland won by one wicket.
