WI Championship: Eagles hunting four in a row

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

The 2026 West Indies Championship is set to explode onto the scene this Sunday, April 12, ushering in a new three-round bilateral format at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

With international selection on the line, the region's premier first-class competition promises a period of high-stakes, high-quality cricket. But on opening day, all eyes will be on the defending champions.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles, a dynasty that has claimed eight of the last 10 titles, including three consecutive crowns, will begin their quest for a fourth straight against the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

If history is any guide, the Harpy Eagles have every reason to feel comfortable. They haven't lost to the Windwards in their last five meetings, a stretch highlighted by three wins and two thumping victories in the most recent encounters.

Captain Tevin Imlach has been the architect of that recent dominance, hammering centuries in each of those last two matches.

Yet, as the new season dawns, Imlach is preaching a forward-looking gospel.

"It is important to remind the players that what happened in the past years is gone," Imlach said. "It is time to focus on what is now, while creating our own legacy and playing a brand of cricket that is enjoyable."

He added respect for his opposition, who he knows can deliver the goods on any given day. "The Windward Islands Volcanoes have a competitive bunch of players, with some young talent who are eager to showcase their skills, but I believe we have the team capable of coming out on top."

On the other side of the pitch, the Volcanoes are desperate to rise from the ashes of a last-place finish last season. Under the captaincy of West Indies representative Alick Athanaze, Windwards have reloaded with a blend of international experience and fresh Academy firepower.

Alongside Athanaze and fellow West Indies player Kavem Hodge, the Volcanoes have added Ackeem Auguste, who made his international debut in 2025, and Teddy Bishop, the former West Indies Academy captain.

They join former West Indies U-19 skipper Stephan Pascal and seasoned campaigner Sunil Ambris to form a much more formidable batting unit.

Athanaze insists his side is no longer content with just showing up. "I've been captaining this unit for a while, and there is a level of familiarity with the group," Athanaze said. "I believe we have a team not just to challenge the reigning champions, but to compete and win against them. We are not going into this viewing the opposition as impossible to defeat."

The skipper was especially buoyed by the maturity shown by his young guns in the final trial match. "Players such as Ackeem Auguste and Teddy Bishop provide a good cushion to our batting line-up. Coming over from the Academy, they have shown good maturity, which I think will enable us to be a stronger team this year."

When the first ball is bowled on April 12, the contrast in missions will be clear: the champions chasing legacy, the challengers chasing redemption. But if Athanaze has his way, the Volcanoes' eruption will be the real story of round one.