2025 Barbados Cricket Association Elite Division Season Begins with Depeiza's Century and Currency's Five-Wicket Haul

Giovonte Depeiza recorded the first century of the 2025 Barbados Cricket Association Elite division three-day Championship when the new season bowled off on Saturday at various grounds across the island.

Depeiza, fresh off collecting the prestigious Most Outstanding Cricketer award for the 2024 season, stroked 101 not out in 127 balls against ESAF Pickwick at the Foursquare Oval.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Superb Blendz Gladiola started the season with an opening stand of 84 between Rashawn Worrell and Shomari Gittens.

Pickwicks’ left arm spinner Rondre Yearwood was able to break through as he grabbed the first five wickets to fall pushing the score to 136 for 5 by the lunch break. With the game in the balance, Depezia batted superbly for the remainder of the day, hitting 5 fours and 6 sixes to bring up his ton just before the close of play.

Worrell scored 55 while captain Matthew Jones made 40 in 39 balls as Gladiola ended the day on 279 for 8 in 64 overs.

Yearwood ended with figures of 5 for 96 from 18 overs.

Scores: Superb Blend Gladiola 279-8 (64 overs) (Giovonte Depeiza 101 not out – 127 balls, 5 fours, 6 sixes; Rashawn Worrell 55 – 73 balls, 8 fours; Matthew Jones 40; Rondre Yearwood 5-96) vs ESA Field Pickwick.

Toss: Gladiola.

At Dash Valley:

Deswin Currency ripped through the Empire batting lineup as Wildey took full advantage of playing on their new home field. Choosing to bat after winning the toss, Empire put on a poor batting display when they fell from 16 for 1 to 45 for 8 in the 26th over.

The only resistance in the innings came from captain Camarie Boyce and Nicholas Patrick when they shared a 44-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Empire was eventually bowled out for 89 as left arm spinner Currency bowled 12 overs and took five wickets for 23 runs.

In their reply, Wildey cruised to 113 for 2 by the end of the day’s play with Demetrius Richards scoring 53 and Zach McCaskie 28.

Scores: Empire 89 all out (37.4 overs) (Camarie Boyce 29, Nicholas Patrick 24 not out; Deswin Currency 5-23).

Wildey 113-2 (26 overs) (Demetrius Richards 53 – 76 balls, 8 fours; Zachary MCaskie 28; Camarie Boyce 2-38).

Toss: Empire.

At 3Ws Oval:

Three batters recorded half centuries as University of the West Indies (UWI) scored 255 for 6 against defending champions Wanderers on their home turf.

After winning the toss and inviting the home team to bat first, Wanderers failed to get any penetration into the innings. Opening batter Hans Campbell set the tone with 59 in 86 balls, UWI got much needed support in the middle when Jai Clarke also made his half century with 51 while Tahj Tavernier remained unbeaten on 78 from 108 balls which included 5 sixes.

Scores: UWI 255-6 (63 overs) (Tahj Tavernier 78 not out – 108 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes; Hans Campbell 58 – 86 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes; Jai Clarke 51 – 108 balls, 2 fours; Jourdan Niles 2-40) vs Wanderers.