Former West Indies Under-19 captain Kimani Melius underlined his immense potential with a splendid record-breaking maiden hundred, to lead Windward Islands Volcanoes’ domination of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, who led the Young Windies at the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup, plundered 192 – the highest score by a St Lucian in first class cricket – as Volcanoes racked up an impressive 393 for seven in their second innings on the penultimate day of their opening round match in the regional four-day championship.
Kavem Hodge provided support with 80 while captain Alick Athanaze struck an unbeaten 49 and the experienced Sunil Ambris, 42 not out, but it was Melius who stood out with his superb effort.
Resuming the morning on 39 with Volcanoes on 62 without loss, Melius faced 269 deliveries and struck 18 fours and three sixes. He reached his hundred off 128 balls in just under 2-¾ hours when he clipped the third delivery before lunch from off-spinner Bryan Charles (2-92) behind square for two.
He moved to 150 off 191 balls in four hours at the crease with a single to fine leg off seamer Terrance Hinds, nearly an hour before tea.
With a double hundred in sight after being unbeaten on 169 at tea, Melius perished when he missed a reverse sweep and was lbw to Charles. Along the way, Melius put on 209 for the second wicket with Hodge who faced 195 deliveries and struck half-dozen fours, before adding a further 49 for the third wicket with Athanaze whose 92-ball knock contained four fours.
Once Melius was dismissed, Athanaze combined in a 72-run, unbroken fourth wicket partnership with Ambris who once again played aggressively, striking two fours and a six in a 38-ball cameo.
Overall, Volcanoes lead by 325 runs heading into Friday’s final day at the Grenada National Stadium.
At the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua, 19-year-old opener Matthew Nandu carved out 126 on first class debut to propel Guyana Harpy Eagles to 371 in their first innings against reigning champions Barbados Pride on the second day of their contest.
Unbeaten overnight on 70 with his side on 205 for five, the left-hander reached triple figures with a couple to third man off seamer Akeem Jordan (2-54) in the fourth over before lunch.
Nandu extended his sixth wicket stand with Kevin Sinclair (43) to 62 before adding 90 for the seventh wicket with Veerasammy Permaul who struck 37 from 95 balls with six fours. Sinclair, resuming on 28, lashed eight fours off 69 deliveries. Seamer Jair McAllister (3-43) and off-spinner Chaim Holder (3-72) picked up three wickets apiece.
In reply, out-of-favour Test batsman Sheyne Moseley struck 65 to help steer Pride to 105 for three at the close. The left-handed Moseley faced 107 deliveries and counted nine fours, adding 69 for the first wicket with Zachary McCaskie (26) and 32 for the third wicket with Test batsman Shamarh Brooks (10 not out).
At Coolidge Cricket Ground also in Antigua, Jeremiah Louis struck an unbeaten 78 as Leeward Islands Hurricanes rallied from their overnight 163 for six to 260 all out on the second day of their game against Jamaica Scorpions.
Louis counted seven fours and three sexes off 171 deliveries, posting 46 for the ninth wicket with Colin Archibald (17) while fast bowler Marquino Mindley (3-28) and leg-spinner Abhijai Mansingh (3-47) claimed three-wicket hauls.
Leroy Lugg then slammed 79, Paul Palmer, 47, and Mansingh an unbeaten 34, as Scorpions stumbled to 186 for six at the close, to trail by 74 runs.
The right-handed Lugg struck eight fours and four sixes in an 82-ball innings, posting 60 for the first wicket with Kirk McKenzie (18) before becoming one of four wickets to tumble for 53 runs and leave Scorpions stuttering on 113 for four.
Palmer, who faced 97 balls and lashed eight fours, repaired the damage in a 72-run, fifth wicket stand with Mansingh, who struck five fours off 99 deliveries.
However, Hurricanes hit back in the fourth over before the close when Test off-spinning all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall (3-47) knocked over Palmer and Jamie Merchant without scoring in the same over.
-CMC
