Osbourn, Antigua and Barbuda: In a dazzling display of pace and precision, 19-year-old pacer Isai Thorne propelled the West Indies Academy to a resounding innings and 134-run victory against Emerging Ireland in their four-day, first-class match on Monday morning at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.
Thorne’s fiery spell saw him finish with exceptional figures of 4-8 from six overs in the second innings, building on his impressive 4-33 in the first innings. This remarkable debut performance earned him a total of eight wickets, leaving the Irish side struggling to find answers against his relentless attack.
The clash reached its climax as Emerging Ireland were bowled out for a mere 62 runs in their second innings before lunch on the penultimate day of the contest.
Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop, who was awarded the Player of the Match, contributed significantly with a notable bowling performance, claiming 2-5 from 4.4 overs. On Sunday, Bishop showcased his batting prowess, scoring an impressive 102 not out.
Bishop’s crucial wickets included the dismissal of Matthew Foster, caught at deep mid-wicket for four, solidifying the West Indies Academy’s dominance. The Emerging Ireland side faced a collapse, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 29 runs in just 93 balls.
Academy captain Nyeem Young also played a pivotal role, finishing with figures of 2-15 from six overs, ensuring none of the visitors’ batsmen reached the 20-run mark.
The comprehensive victory gives the CWI Academy a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with the second match scheduled to commence this coming Saturday at the same venue.
Thorne’s menacing pace and ability to trouble the batters were on full display as he claimed vital wickets, including that of the Irish captain Stephen Doheny, who was bowled without adding to his overnight score of 17.
Thorne’s devastating two-wicket over, dismissing Scott Macbeth and Gavin Hoey, set the tone for Emerging Ireland’s batting collapse.
Fionn Hand’s dismissal at the hands of Thorne, caught at backward point for eight, left Emerging Ireland reeling at 45-7, and they struggled to recover from the onslaught.
The series showcased Thorne’s remarkable debut and provided a platform for emerging talent in the West Indies system to gain valuable playing time and experience against formidable opponents, preparing them for the challenges at the highest level of the game.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
