Anderson shows class with hundred against Emerging Ireland

COOLIDGE, Antigua (CMC):

KEVLON ANDERSON gathered his second first-class hundred to lead the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Academy batting against Emerging Ireland in their second four-day, first-class match yesterday in Antigua.

The 23-year-old Guyana Harpy Eagles batsman was undefeated on 101, and his captain Nyeem Young made 80, as the CWI Academy reached 300 for eight in their first innings at the close on the first day of the match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Anderson struck 14 fours from 172 balls in a little under four and a quarter hours at the crease and brought stability to the innings with Young after it appeared at the crossroads at 111 for four in the middle of the session after lunch.

A former West Indies Under-19 batsman, Anderson reached his hundred from 172 balls when he clipped a delivery from pacer Matthew Foster through mid-wicket for two.

Young, 23, a former West Indies Under-19 all-rounder, cracked seven fours and five sixes from 115 balls in almost two and a quarter hours, putting on 133 for the fifth wicket with Anderson before he departed in the final session of the day, sparking another period of instability.

The CWI Academy captain was one of four wickets that fell – two to pacer Tom Mayes – for 56 in the span of 61 balls in the final period, but Anderson remained unflappable to bat through until the close, which came when McKenny Clarke was caught at long-on off Foster.

Mayes was the pick of the Irish bowlers with three for 62 from 20 overs, left-arm spinner Michael Frost ended the day with two for 71 from 25 overs, and Foster finished with two for 90 from 23.4 overs.

The CWI Academy lead the two-match series 1-0 after they won the first match, which ended this past Monday, by an innings and 134 runs at the same venue.

They endured an early setback when left-handed opener Ackeem Auguste fell to Foster for two in the first over of the match.

Teddy Bishop came to the crease and batted for almost the remainder of the morning period to put on 49 with left-handed opener Matthew Nandu before he was caught at first slip off pacer Liam McCarthy from a top-edged cut. CWI Academy would go to lunch on 51 for two.

After lunch, the CWI Academy were just beginning to get into their stride when Nandu was caught in the covers off Mayes for 35, playing an uppish drive.

Kevin Wickham joined Anderson and spent 40 minutes at the crease to carry the CWI Academy past 100 before he was bowled by Frost for 17, the hosts going to tea on 135 for four.

After the break, Anderson and Young practically matched each other stroke for stroke to give their side a boost.

Anderson drove pacer Foster over backward point for four to reach his 50 from 118 balls, and he celebrated the milestone with a lofted straight drive off the same bowler for a second successive four.

Young reached the milestone from 87 balls a few overs later when he clipped Frost through mid-wicket for a single before he was caught at backward point off the same bowler.

Carlon Bowen-Tuckett made six before he was caught at mid-on off Mayes, and Joshua Bishop, a century-maker in the first match, got 22 in a hurry and ushered Anderson to his hundred, but he was caught behind, edging a loose, flat-footed drive.

The series is an opportunity for emerging talent in the West Indies pathway system to gain high-quality playing time, along with the experience of playing against counterparts from another destination of the cricket-playing world.

The CWI Academy squad comprises mainly of the players in the West Indies Academy programme with some first-class experience, and others that have graduated from the under-19 level with some distinction.