CMC – CENTURIES from Kraigg Brathwaite and Jonathan Drakes have put Barbados Pride in a commanding position against the West Indies Academy, while Trinidad & Tobago Red Force spinners Khary Pierre and Yannic Cariah spun a web around the Volcanoes and have the upper hand in their West Indies Championship second-round matches on Wednesday.
At Kensington Oval: West Indies Test skipper Kraigg Brathwaite wasted little time in making his mark on the regional tournament, scoring un unbeaten century, while Jonathan Drakes also made it into three figures as the Pride stamped their authority against the WI Academy, piling up 354 for three on the opening day.

Brathwaite, in his first match after returning from the tour of Pakistan, finished the day on 143, while Drakes made 117, and the Pride’s top order made light work of the Academy’s bowlers, scoring at almost four runs an over for the entire day.

The Pride’s opening pair of Brathwaite and Zachary McCaskie put on 96 runs, before the latter fell lbw to spinner Joshua Bishop for 49 from 66 balls.
His dismissal brought Drakes to the crease and together with his captain they added 228 runs for the second wicket to seize control of the match.
The WI Academy eventually got some success in the final session with Johann Layne having Drakes caught and bowled after scoring his second first-class century.
He faced 176 balls and struck 14 boundaries and four sixes.

McKenny Clarke then bowled Kevin Wickham for nine, but Brathwaite ended the day having so far faced 241 balls and hit 14 fours.
At the Arnos Vale Playing Field: In a stunning act of defiance, Kavem Hodge scored a century, but the Volcanoes were still skittled out for a paltry 166 runs thanks to the efforts of Pierre and Cariah.
Hodge scored 126 from 142 balls and was the only Volcanoes batsman in double figures in an otherwise disappointing showing by the home team.

Pacers Jayden Seales and Joshua James made early inroads into the Volcanoes’ batting by dismissing openers Stephan Pascal and Jeremy Solozano for nine and six respectively, to reduce them to 37 for two.
After Keron Cotty was caught behind for two off Pierre’s bowling, Hodge and Sunil Ambris, who made nine, shared a 65-run partnership for the fourth wicket to give the home side hope of rebuilding the innings.

But once Cariah accounted for Ambris’ wicket at 133 for four, things went downhill fast for the Volcanoes and they lost their last seven wickets for 33 runs.
Hodge was eventually the last wicket to fall, caught behind off Pierre after facing 142 balls and striking 15 fours and one six.
Pierre ended with 4-17 while Cariah took 4-30 for the Red Force.

The visitors then wasted little time in making quick inroads, with Cephas Cooper and Amir Jangoo scoring unbeaten half centuries to lead their team to 137 for one.
Cooper was 69 not out, while Jangoo was not out on 60, with the pair bringing their side to within 29 runs of the Volcanoes’ first innings total.