Emerging star Kevlon Anderson’s century leads CWI Academy charge
Key Points(5)
- This resulted in a loss of 56 runs in just 61 balls.
- Teddy Bishop then took to the crease and partnered with left-handed opener Matthew Nandu, adding 49 runs before Bishop was caught at first slip off pacer Liam McCarthy, attempting a top-edged cut.
- The CWI Academy reached lunch at 51 for two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After lunch, the CWI Academy started finding their rhythm, but Nandu was caught in the covers off Mayes for 35, attempting an uppish drive.
- Anderson reached his half-century from 118 balls with a boundary driven over backward point.
- He celebrated this milestone with a lofted straight drive off the same bowler for another four.
Kevlon Anderson displayed his exceptional class by notching up his second first-class century, guiding the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Academy in a batting spectacle against Emerging Ireland during their second four-day, first-class match in Antigua on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Guyana Harpy Eagles batsman remained unbeaten on 101 runs, while his captain, Nyeem Young, contributed with a solid 80, as the CWI Academy finished the first day of the match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground at 300 for eight in their first innings.
Anderson showcased his talent by striking 14 boundaries, including 14 fours, in just under four and a quarter hours at the crease. He provided much-needed stability to the innings, especially when the team was struggling at 111 for four during the middle session after lunch.
A former West Indies Under-19 batsman, Anderson reached his century after facing 172 balls, clipping a delivery from pacer Matthew Foster through mid-wicket for two.
Aggressive innings
Young, also 23 and a former West Indies Under-19 all-rounder, played an aggressive innings, hitting seven fours and five sixes from 115 balls in nearly two and a quarter hours. The pair put on a valuable partnership of 133 runs for the fifth wicket before Young departed in the final session, triggering a period of instability.
The CWI Academy captain was one of the four wickets that fell in the final session, two of which were taken by pacer Tom Mayes. This resulted in a loss of 56 runs in just 61 balls. However, Anderson remained composed and batted through until the close of play, which occurred when McKenny Clarke was caught at long-on off Foster.
Mayes was the standout among the Irish bowlers, securing three wickets for 62 runs from his 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Michael Frost ended the day with two wickets for 71 runs from 25 overs, while Foster finished with two wickets for 90 runs from 23.4 overs.
The CWI Academy currently leads the two-match series 1-0, having secured victory in the previous match by an innings and 134 runs at the same venue.
An early setback
The team faced an early setback when left-handed opener Ackeem Auguste was dismissed for just two runs in the opening over of the match. Teddy Bishop then took to the crease and partnered with left-handed opener Matthew Nandu, adding 49 runs before Bishop was caught at first slip off pacer Liam McCarthy, attempting a top-edged cut. The CWI Academy reached lunch at 51 for two.
After lunch, the CWI Academy started finding their rhythm, but Nandu was caught in the covers off Mayes for 35, attempting an uppish drive. Kevin Wickham joined Anderson and helped the team cross the 100-run mark before being bowled by Frost for 17, with the hosts going to tea at 135 for four.
Following the tea break, Anderson and Young mirrored each other's performance, giving their side a significant boost. Anderson reached his half-century from 118 balls with a boundary driven over backward point. He celebrated this milestone with a lofted straight drive off the same bowler for another four. Young achieved his half-century from 87 balls a few overs later, but he was soon caught at backward point off the same bowler.
Valuable opportunity for emerging talent
Carlon Bowen-Tuckett contributed six runs before being caught at mid-on off Mayes, while Joshua Bishop, who scored a century in the first match, quickly added 22 runs before being caught behind, edging a loose, flat-footed drive.
This series provides a valuable opportunity for emerging talent within the West Indies pathway system to gain high-quality playing time and experience by competing against counterparts from different cricket-playing regions.
The CWI Academy squad primarily comprises players from the West Indies Academy program, some with first-class experience, and others who have graduated from the under-19 level with distinction.
