Leeward Hurricanes brace for Red Force barrage

ST JOHN'S, Antigua:

A fierce three-match bilateral battle looms in Antigua as the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, under new captain Justin Greaves, prepare to lock horns with a Trinidad and Tobago Red Force squad laden with international experience when the 2026 West Indies Championship bowls off on Sunday.

The Coolidge Cricket Ground sets the stage for the opening encounter, where the 32-year-old Barbadian all-rounder will lead the Hurricanes for the first time since switching his allegiance to the franchise three years ago.

"It is an honour to be entrusted by the people of the Leeward Islands to lead the team this season," Greaves said. "Coming through the ranks, I always viewed myself as a leader, and now being given the responsibility of captain, I will look to lead from the front."

RUN-FEST

Last season's meeting between these sides produced a run-fest that saw a high-scoring draw with more than 1,100 runs. Joshua Da Silva, who will captain the Red Force, smashed centuries in both innings to support Jason Mohammed's double ton.

The Hurricanes answered with a double-century opening stand between Mikyle Louis and Kadeem Henry, both of whom return to a 13-man squad that also includes teenager Jewel Andrew, who is fresh off a trial-match double century, and Karima Gore, who struck a century in warm-up fixtures.

Greaves believes that depth is cause for confidence.

"Across the bilateral series, you want to improve in every single game," he said. "We see ourselves as one of the better teams in the Caribbean, so we need to just have that belief and execute."

Trinidad & Tobago have not topped the Regional Four-Day Championship table in 20 years. Last season, they came agonisingly close only to stumble against Jamaica Scorpions in the penultimate round, a lesson not lost on Da Silva.

- CMC