Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop and Ackeem Auguste played pivotal roles as West Indies Academy asserted dominance on day two of their first-class encounter against Emerging Ireland on Sunday.
Bishop, at 23 years of age, led the charge by claiming four wickets for just 18 runs, ably supported by the impressive fast bowler Isai Thorne, who contributed with three wickets for 16 runs. As a result, Emerging Ireland endured a dramatic collapse, managing a mere 72 runs in response to WI Academy’s substantial 326.
Auguste, on the other hand, showcased his batting prowess, notching up an impressive 75 runs from 101 deliveries. His performance propelled the hosts to a commanding total of 172 for four in their second innings by the day’s close, establishing an imposing overall lead of 426 runs at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, setting the stage for the upcoming day of play.
An unbeaten 125 runs
In the early hours of the day, WI Academy resumed their first innings at 300 for eight. They eventually reached a total of 326, with Kevlon Anderson extending his overnight score of 101 to an unbeaten 125 runs, displaying excellent skill with 18 fours. Seamer Tom Mayes emerged as the top wicket-taker, claiming five wickets for 64 runs.
Emerging Ireland’s batting woes continued as they faced a swift and devastating collapse. The downfall began when Stephen Doheny was dismissed for eight, falling prey to a poorly directed delivery from fast bowler McKenny Clarke. Nyeem Young, the seamer and captain for WI Academy, further exacerbated Emerging Ireland’s troubles, removing James McCollum (4) and Murray Commins (0) in the same over.
With their score at 28 for three, Emerging Ireland was unable to recover despite Cade Carmichael’s top score of 39 runs off 56 balls, featuring half a dozen fours. Bishop and Thorne dismantled the middle and lower order, leaving Emerging Ireland struggling.
WI Academy stumbled late in the day
WI Academy, bolstered by a lead of 254, aggressively took the attack to Emerging Ireland. Auguste, the 20-year-old left-hander, led the charge, amassing nine fours and a six. He formed valuable partnerships, including a 34-run opening stand with Matthew Nandu (18) and a substantial 90-run partnership for the second wicket with Teddy Bishop, who contributed 46 runs from 73 deliveries with five fours.
However, WI Academy stumbled late in the day, losing three wickets for just 11 runs. Mayes finished with two wickets for 21 runs, with Bishop falling first, bowled through the gate by off-spinner Mike Frost, and Auguste following suit five balls later in the next over, edging behind while chasing an extremely wide delivery from Mayes.
