Skipper of Team Headley, wicket-keeper batsman Joshua Da Silva scored an unbeaten century to guide his side to a competitive total on day one of their first-class 4-day match against the West Indies Academy at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
Young fast bowler, Johann Layne’s exceptional opening spell had Team Headley reeling at 43/4 after Da Silva won the toss and elected to bat. First he removed opener Kieran Powell for nought with Team Headley having just a run on the board while Darren Bravo (5) was next to go after Sheyne Moseley was forced to retire hurt with an injury. Layne would account for Kavem Hodge (10) and Tevin Walcott (15) to leave the side in real trouble before spinner Joshua Bishop bowled Justin Greaves to pile even more pressure on.
From 59/5, Da Silva along with Akeem Jordan took their side to 164/6, both of them bringing up their half-centuries in the process. Jordan (54) would eventually fall prey to Layne, becoming his fifth victim to leave the side on 164/6. Da Silva would marshal the last 3 wickets to add 95 runs to give his team a respectable 1st innings total of 259. He brought up his 3rd first class century during those partnerships and was unbeaten on 136 at the end of his team’s innings. Layne ended with figures of 5/39 (10 overs) and was well supported by Joshua Bishop who took 2/89.
In reply, the West Indies Academy found themselves in dire straits when they lost two wickets without registering a run on the scoreboard. Akeem Jordan took both wickets to end the day with 2/16. Despite the early setback, Kevlon Anderson and Kirk McKenzie combined to rescue their side and took them to 48/2 at stumps. McKenzie is unbeaten on 31 while Anderson will resume his innings on 11 tomorrow.
The 592 Dugout 