The West Indies Academy faced a crushing 10-wicket defeat to Emerging Ireland, resulting in a 2-0 whitewash in their four-day ‘test’ series at Stormont.
The final day saw Ackeem Auguste fall short of a century, as the Caribbean side was dismissed for 268 in their second innings, still trailing by 93 runs.
Resuming at 148 for three, the West Indies Academy faced an uphill battle to save the contest. The left-handed Auguste, who started the day on 70, managed to extend his score to 93 before being dismissed. Wicketkeeper-batsman Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, unbeaten on two at the start of the day, contributed 41, forming a 71-run fourth-wicket partnership with 20-year-old Auguste.
Set a modest target of 28 to win, the hosts needed only 23 deliveries to reach their goal and complete the series sweep.
Hope of extending the game
There was initial hope of extending the game deep into the day, as Auguste picked up from where he left off on Thursday’s penultimate day. He struck 14 fours in a knock lasting 154 balls over three and a half hours. Bowen-Tuckett faced 73 balls in 96 minutes, hitting six fours.
Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys, who ended with five for 44, broke the crucial stand by bowling Bowen-Tuckett and then removing Auguste in the following over. This collapse saw the West Indies Academy lose their last seven wickets for just 60 runs, despite a late effort from number nine Johann Layne, who chipped in with 23 runs.
Humphreys’ effective spell sealed the fate of the Caribbean side, ensuring that Emerging Ireland completed a dominant performance throughout the series.
