Despite a standout performance by Leonardo Julien, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Academy suffered a six-wicket defeat to the Ireland Emerging Players, who now lead the three-match One-Day series 1-0.
Julien, a 22-year-old left-hander from Trinidad, top-scored with 82 runs off 61 balls, featuring nine fours and four sixes, forming the backbone of the CWI Academy’s innings. However, the visitors were bowled out for 224 in 43.1 overs after being put in to bat in the 50-over match at Woodvale Road.
Pacers Johann Layne and Joshua James each took two wickets for the CWI Academy, but their efforts were overshadowed by Morgan Topping’s unbeaten 66 off 85 balls, which guided Ireland Emerging Players to 227 for four in 46.5 overs.
CWI Academy innings
The West Indies team faced early setbacks, with opener Kadeem Alleyne and former West Indies Under-19 captain Ackeem Auguste dismissed for eight and a duck, respectively, by pacer Matthew Foster in the fifth over. The team struggled at 44 for two at the end of the first Power Play.
Julien partnered with Bishop, who added only 10 runs but stabilized the innings, forming a third-wicket stand of 58 before falling in the 16th over. Jordan Johnson contributed 20 runs, adding another 48 runs for the fourth wicket with Julien before both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the team at 136 for five in the 21st over.
Wicketkeeper-batter Carlon Bowen Tuckett’s 41 and captain Nyeem Young’s 25 enabled the CWI Academy to reach a respectable total, despite losing their last five wickets for 41 runs.
A strong start
Openers Jake Egan (38) and Christopher De Freitas (25) gave Ireland a strong start, sharing a 60-run partnership for the first wicket. Layne dismissed both in quick succession, followed by James removing Cade Carmichael for 12, reducing Ireland to 106 for three.
However, Topping and Scott MacBeth (42) steadied the innings with a 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Topping then guided his team to victory with an unbroken 47-run stand with Kian Hilton, who finished 18 not out.
Reflecting on the game, Julien’s efforts were praised, but the team’s inability to capitalize on his performance was evident. The CWI Academy faced resistance from the start, and despite brief recoveries, they couldn’t sustain momentum against a disciplined Irish attack.
Threat of adverse weather
The second match of the series, initially scheduled for tomorrow, has been moved up to Wednesday at Bready due to the threat of adverse weather.
CWI Academy 224 all out, 43.1 overs (Leonardo Julien 82, Carlon Bowen Tuckett 41, Nyeem Young 25, Jordan Johnson 20; Cade Carmichael 2-10, Matthew Foster 2-29, Thomas Mayes 2-32, Gavin Hoey 2-46)
Ireland Emerging Players 227-4, 46.5 overs (Morgan Topping 66 not out, Scott MacBeth 42, Jake Egan 38, Christopher De Freitas 25; Johann Layne 2-36, Joshua James 2-59)
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