Athanaze goes big as Windwards win, Ottley on fire as T&T start hot!

Alick Athanaze struck his maiden List A century as Windward Islands Volcanoes opened their CG Super50 Cup campaign with a 28-run victory over Guyana Harpy Eagles on Monday at Queen’s Park Oval. In the other Zone A fixture, defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force easily beat Combined Campuses and Colleges, ito make a successful start at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Sent in to bat, Volcanoes marched to 296-4 off their 50 overs. The left-handed Athanaze scored 133 from 140 balls, with 12 fours and four sixes. Experienced opener Johnson Charles started in grand style with a blistering 64 from 63 balls while Kavem Hodge hit 42 from 57 balls.

In reply, Harpy Eagles were held to 268 all out in the 47th over as Tagenarine Chanderpaul top-scored with 48 from 47 balls.Tevin Imlach chimed in with 36 from 46 balls, Kevin Sinclair belted 33 from 23 balls and Gudakesh Motie, an unbeaten 31 from 27 deliveries but Harpy Eagles never found the crucial partnership they required.

Lively seamer Shadrack Descarte, who was called up as a replacement, snatched 3-41 on debut for 41, first claiming the key wicket of Chanderpaul before returning to knock over Romario Shepherd (1) and Clinton Pestano (5) in successive overs to leave the run chase in tatters at 194-8 in the 38th over.

In the day’s second match, the home side were asked to chase a meagre 120 in the day/night contest, and they cantered to their target in the 28th over with left-handed opener Kjorn Ottley steering the innings with an unbeaten 65 from 79 balls.

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein had earlier picked up 4-38 to help bowl out CCC for just 119 all out in the 34th over, after the hosts opted to bowl first. He was supported by outstanding spells from seamer Jayden Seales (2-1) and off-spinner Sunil Narine (2-21).

Jonathan Drakes top-scored with 38 from 40 balls with half-dozen fours batting at number four while Matthew Forde also crunched six fours in stroking 37 from 45 balls.

The CG United Super50 continues Tuesday in Antigua. Leeward Islands Hurricanes will look for their second win when they face Jamaica Scorpions at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at 1pm (12 noon Jamaica Time). This will be LIVE on ESPN Caribbean. In the day’s first match West Indies Academy meet Barbados Pride at Coolidge Cricket Ground at 9am (8am Jamaica Time).