NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Estranged West Indies opener Kieran Powell announced his return to regional first class after a two-year exile with a polished half-century, as Leeward Islands dominated the opening day of their ninth round clash with leaders Guyana Jaguars yesterday.
With the announcement earlier this week that the left-hander had been included in the Hurricanes squad, much of the spotlight at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium understandably fell on Powell.
And he did not disappoint, stroking a better than run-a-ball 55 to help power Hurricanes to 237 for three before rain ended play with four overs still left in the day.
Powell, who mysteriously disappeared from regional cricket following the opening Test of New Zealand’s tour of the Caribbean back in 2014, entertained with seven fours and a six off a mere 54 balls.
Understandably, the innings overshadowed Montcin Hodge’s top score of 74 not out which underpinned the Hurricanes effort after they opted to bat first in the Regional four-day contest.
Trinidadian Daron Cruickshank chipped in with 43 while Under-19 World Cup star Keacy Carty struck 33 and Orlando Peters, 29 not out.
Powell, a previous Leewards captain who has played 21 Tests, handed Hurricanes the momentum against the defending champions by adding an up tempo 76 for the first wicket inside the first hour with Carty.
The Nevisian was looking dangerous when he lost concentration and perished to the first delivery following the drinks break, off seamer Chris Barnwell.
Hodge then kept the momentum of the innings going, putting on 38 for the second wicket with Carty, 58 for the third with Cruickshank before posting a further 55 in an unbroken fourth wicket stand with Peters.
Carty, who got a half-century in his maiden first class appearance in the last round, struck five fours off 98 balls in 2-1/4 hours at the crease.
Unbeaten on 29 at lunch with Hurricanes on 104 for one, Carty fell in the fifth over after lunch but his dismissal paved the way for Hodge and Cruickshank to further consolidate the innings.
The right-handed Hodge has so far faced 218 balls in 4-1/4 hours and struck nine fours while Cruickshank produced a breezy knock, hitting six fours and a six off 69 balls.
Cruickshank fell just before tea, as Hurricanes reached the break on 180 for three.
SCOREBOARD
HURRICANES 1st Innings
K Powell c Reifer b Barnwell 55
K Carty c and b Permaul 33
M Hodge not out 74
D Cruickshank lbw b Permaul 43
*O Peters not out 29
Extras (lb1, w1, nb1) 3
TOTAL (3 wkts, 86 overs) 237
To bat: +J Hamilton, R Cornwall, J Taylor, J Louis, G Tonge, A Joseph.
Fall of wickets: 1-76, 2-114, 3-172.
Bowling: Beaton 15-2-41-0 (nb1), Reifer 14-4-36-0 (w1),
Barnwell 8-1-40-1, Bishoo 26-7-75-0, Permaul 23-10-44-2.
JAGUARS – *L Johnson, T Chanderpaul, R Chandrika, Vishaul Singh, S Chanderpaul, C Barnwell, R Reifer, +A Bramble, V Permaul, D Bishoo, R Beaton.
Toss: Hurricanes.
Umpires: Carl Tuckett, Patrick Gustard.