The Windward Islands Volcanoes will open their 2025 Cricket West Indies (CWI) First-Class Four-Day Championship campaign today, playing the Jamaica Scorpions at Arnos Vale in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Two Saint Lucians have been included for the day-night encounter – Johnnel Eugene and Shadrack Descarte.
The Volcanoes, second to two-time defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles last year, will be led by Sunil Ambris once again. Kenneth Dember will serve as vice-captain. But whilst Eugene is set for a possible First-Class debut, and Descarte has been retained, fellow Saint Lucian Kimani Melius is left out.
Better known as a T20 or 50-over player, Descarte’s lone run in the four-day game came in this same fixture last season. Windwards won by nine wickets at Arnos Vale, but the man from Mon Repos had little part to play.
Eugene, an all-rounder, has not had the smoothest ride so far in his career. A former Windward Islands Under-19 captain, he has played just three List A games for the franchise, all three in last year’s CG United Super50.
Eugene, the son of former West Indies A captain and Saint Lucia Sportsman of the Year John Eugene, is one of two newcomers in the squad, along with Dominica’s Kharmal Hamilton.
Melius, who just turned 24, has an average of 21.27 from 29 innings in the four-day game. He opened the 2022-23 season with a knock of 192, and ended that year with an average of over 35, despite losing most of the year to concussion.
Last year, Melius was named captain of the Volcanoes, but his returns with the bat were not encouraging. He totalled 142, inclusive of a half-century. His average of 17.75 did not reflect the ability he has shown in the past.
The Volcanoes and Scorpions will play with a pink ball at Arnos Vale from January 29 to February 1.
Also set to play in this year’s competition are Ackeem Auguste and McKenny Clarke, both Saint Lucians who are part of the West Indies Academy for the second year. They will face off against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in Antigua and Barbuda.
Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze are unavailable for the Volcanoes’ opening round fixture due to international duties. Additionally, Shamar Springer has been ruled out of contention for selection due to his recovery from an injury.
