PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Darron Nedd produced a sensational all-around performance on Wednesday night, powering the Windward Islands Volcanoes to a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their CG United Super50 Cup opener at the Brian Lara Academy.
The Hurricanes, buoyed by a sparkling century from opener Kofi James and half-centuries from Mikyle Louis and Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, racked up a formidable 324 in 47.3 overs. Yet their imposing total crumbled under the weight of Nedd’s brilliance, as the Volcanoes surged to 325 for eight with 19 balls to spare.
Hurricanes blaze early behind James’ landmark ton
James became the first centurion of this year’s tournament with a commanding 103 off 87 balls, belting nine fours and five sixes. He and Louis unleashed a blistering start, piling up 125 for the first wicket, with Louis hammering 59 off 46 deliveries, including six fours and four towering sixes.
Bowen-Tuckett added further momentum with a fluent 56 off 44, and by the 30th over the Hurricanes were cruising at 232 for two, threatening a total well beyond reach.
But the innings unraveled spectacularly.
Volcanoes’ fightback: eight wickets for 102 runs
Nedd, Kenneth Dember, and Shadrack Descarte combined to halt the Hurricanes’ charge, triggering a dramatic collapse. The trio claimed three wickets apiece, with Descarte taking 3-43, Nedd 3-53, and Dember 3-56. The Hurricanes’ final eight wickets evaporated for just 102 runs, including an astonishing sequence where the last six fell for only 24.
Still, 324 remained a daunting target.
Early trouble, then a firestorm: Nedd transforms the chase
The Volcanoes stumbled immediately, losing Johann Jeremiah to the third ball of the innings with no runs on the board. The pressure intensified when they slipped to 131 for five in the 23rd over, and the Hurricanes tightened their grip, seemingly cruising toward victory.
Then Nedd detonated.
The dynamic all-rounder unleashed a blistering 94 from just 56 balls, smashing boundaries at will and dismantling the Hurricanes’ attack. In tandem with Dillon Douglas, who added an equally vital 61 off 46, Nedd revived the innings through a rousing 107-run stand in only 12 overs.
Closing the door: Clarke’s late surge seals it
Nedd’s innings ended agonizingly close to a century when he was bowled by Oshane Thomas, who finished with 3-62. But the Volcanoes refused to wilt. Douglas added 38 priceless runs with Keon Gaston, and McKenny Clarke completed the comeback in style, blasting an unbeaten 22 off 12 balls, decorated with two massive sixes.
Karima Gore chipped in for the Hurricanes with 2-41, but their efforts fell short as the Volcanoes completed one of the tournament’s most spirited run chases.
