ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):
The second round of the 2026 West Indies Championship served up a little bit of everything.
When the dust settled, we had an innings-and-141-run demolition, a record-filled draw, and a scary abandonment that left everyone talking about player safety.
Veteran spinner Veerasammy Permaul reminded everyone why he is the region’s all-time leading first-class wicket-taker, delivering a stunning all-round performance to lead the Guyana Harpy Eagles to a brutal three-day victory over the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
But the headlines didn’t stop there. Kevin Wickham continued his meteoric rise with a third straight century, while Kelvin Pitman, Jayden Seales, and Anderson Philip all grabbed five-wicket hauls in a round that had everything, including an abrupt halt because of dangerous playing conditions.
The defending champions made a massive statement. After Nial Smith (5-36) ripped through the Volcanoes on the opening morning to bowl them out for 151, Guyana simply took over.
Resuming day three at 361 for eight, it was Permaul, batting at No. 9, who turned the screw. His unbeaten 82 off 150 balls, alongside career-best batting efforts from Shamar Joseph (46) and Smith (37), propelled Guyana to a colossal 491 and a 340-run lead.
Volcanoes’ second innings offered brief hope through Ackeem Auguste’s fighting 91, but Gudakesh Motie (5-51) and Permaul (4-20) were relentless. Permaul ended the contest in style, bowling Darel Cyrus and Gilon Tyson off consecutive deliveries.
“It’s always good to add with the bat to the team,” Permaul said. “Adding value to the team is most important.”
Volcanoes head coach Keon Peters tipped his cap. “The Guyanese played good all-round cricket. They stayed patient, waited for opportunities, and we created those chances for them.”
At Sabina Park, the Barbados Pride showed their championship mettle in a drawn but decisive contest against the Jamaica Scorpions.
Jamaica posted 457, built on a stunning 202-run opening stand between Kirk McKenzie (114, his fourth first-class ton) and John Campbell (96). But the Pride’s response was emphatic.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite compiled his 34th first-class century, a typically resolute 176, while Kevin Wickham continued his astonishing run of form. After back-to-back hundreds to open the season, Wickham crafted a composed 105 from 181 balls, sharing a 195-run partnership with Brathwaite.
“There was a passage where I got restless,” Wickham admitted. “He came down, talked to me, and brought me back to my level head. Batting with him is an honour.”
Barbados declared at 626 for eight, securing vital first-innings points before the match petered out into a draw.
The most bizarre scene unfolded at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, where the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force played to a chaotic draw, cut short not by bad light but by an unfit pitch.
Anderson Philip’s six-wicket haul skittled the Hurricanes for 131 on day one. Kelvin Pitman (6-52) and Oshane Thomas (3-52) fought back to limit the Red Force to 175, thanks to a gritty unbeaten 51 from Jyd Goolie and a last-wicket stand of 44 with Jayden Seales.
Seales then produced a devastating spell, taking 6-33 as the Hurricanes slipped to 140 for seven, setting up a thrilling finale. But the contest turned ugly when Jeremiah Louis was struck by a delivery from Seales.
Umpires Leslie Reifer and Zahid Bassarath immediately intervened, ruling the pitch dangerous and abandoning the match on the spot.
Louis was taken for medical treatment, has since been discharged, and remains under observation ahead of round three.
