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• Jofra Archer destroys Pickwick with five-wicket haul as BCA Elite Division bowls off

  Barbados-born England fast bowler Jofra Archer delivered an extraordinary performance on the opening day of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Elite Division three-day Championship on Saturday, capturing 5-7 to lead Wildey into a dominant position against ESA Field Pickwick.

  Playing at the SJPI ground, Archer, in his return to Barbados cricket, bowled eight overs in two sharp spells, as Pickwick struggled to deal with his pace and accuracy, being bowled out for just 61 in 30 overs after being sent in. Wildey captain Jerome Jones also proved effective, taking three wickets for a mere three runs in his seven-over spell of left-arm spin, contributing to Pickwick's dismal collapse.

  By the close of play, Wildey solidified their hold on the match, reaching 112 for one off 24 overs. Demetrius Richards remained unbeaten on 41, and Nimar Bolden was not out on 36, guiding their side into a strong position. The pair shared an unbroken 58-run partnership, following Zachary McCaskie's solid contribution of 34, as Wildey built a healthy lead.

  Elsewhere in the competition, there were other standout performances across the island.

  At Bank Hall, half-centuries from captain Akeem Springer (67) and Mikhail Austin (65) propelled Fusionz Boutique Spartan to 254 for eight after winning the toss against defending champions Empire. The pair added 90 for the third wicket, giving Spartan the upper hand, before Empire's spinners Jomel Warrican and Nathan Sealy, both recently returned from CPL duties, pegged back Spartan, sharing five wickets between them.

  At Lester Vaughan, Superb Blend Gladiola captain Matthew Jones also produced a fine spell, taking five for 69 as his side bowled out SigniaGlobe Financial BCA Youth for 217. Gladiola closed the day at 42 without loss, setting the stage for a strong reply.

  Meanwhile, at Friendship, left-arm spinner Steve Pinder’s five-wicket haul helped IGS Insurance Brokers Yorkshire dismiss UWI for 254, despite some late resistance from Chemar Holder (47) and Shaquan Cave (50), who added 78 for the eighth wicket. Yorkshire responded with 79 for one by stumps.

  Finally, at Beckles Road, Bayview Hospital YMPC posted the highest total of the day, declaring at 280 for seven, with opener Raymond Kellman blasting 80 off 48 balls. Captain Kemal Smith (68) and Jadan Jones (57) also contributed valuable runs against Championship leaders Wanderers, who faced a tough battle ahead.

  The BCA Elite Division's first day of Series 5 produced captivating cricket, with Jofra Archer’s sensational five-wicket performance stealing the spotlight as Wildey asserted their dominance.

• Narine, Hinds on the losing end of court ruling regarding bar rental

  Trinidad and Tobago cricketers Sunil Narine and Terrence Hinds have found themselves on the losing side of a court ruling and are now left to fork up just over $60,000 after a business arrangement with a former landlord went sideways.

  Justice Ricky Rahim ordered Narine and Hinds to compensate Dave Kangal for a breach of contract after they rented a bar from the claimant at Oropune Gardens in Piarco.

  Though Narine’s role in the issue is unfortunate as he was merely rendering financial assistance to Hinds in the business venture, the judge could not ignore the fact that he was also named as a tenant on the agreement dated July 1, 2020.

  Interestingly, it was the players that first took Kangal to court, citing a breach of a tenancy contract, before the landlord counterclaimed and won. As such, Narine and Hinds will have to pay $62,246.90 plus interest as outstanding rent, as well as a half of Kangal’s legal fees.

  According to Trinidad Express, the judge, in his written ruling delivered on Thursday, found that the two were actually owing Kangal $130,500 in unpaid rent. However, the figure was reduced as the court also found that Narine and Hinds were to be reimbursed $68,263.10 for renovations and improvements to the bar.

  Hinds contended that $100,000 was actually spent on renovations and improvements, but he was unable to present some of the receipts to support his claim.

  “The chips must lie where they fall. On the other hand, the court was taken aback by the tenor of the dealings between Terrance and Anna (Hinds' sister) on one hand and the defendant on the other,” the judge shared.

  “There is a strong inference that they sought to take advantage of the apparent lack of understanding and naivete to a certain extent of the defendant to his disadvantage and to their benefit,” he added.

• Mooney's 43* guides Australia to win over Sri Lanka

  Australia produced a strong showing as they defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets to get the defense of their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup crown off to the best possible start.

  Sri Lanka chose to bat first in Sharjah but struggled to 93 for seven, with Nilakshika Silva top scoring with an unbeaten 29.

  Australia showed it was not easy going for either team but could rely on Beth Mooney, who battled through the energy-sapping sun to make 43 not out and see her team home with 5.4 overs to spare.

  Sri Lanka needed a positive start against the world number one side, who put the squeeze on from the outset - with 10 balls passing until the first run was scored and Vishmi Gunaratne departing for a duck.

  Captain, Chamari Athapaththu soon followed for just three as Australia successfully reviewed an LBW decision with Ashleigh Gardner claiming her first wicket.

  Sri Lanka’s first boundary came as Harshitha Samarawickrama took advantage of a free hit with a four after Australia’s third no ball of the innings.

  Australia made some unwanted history with a record fifth no ball as Darcie Brown's first over cost 12, taking Sri Lanka to 23 for two at the end of the powerplay. They regained control when Sophie Molineux picked up their third LBW wicket of the innings and Sri Lanka lost the second of their two reviews.

  Samarawickrama helped push the score to 43 for three at the halfway stage and was reprieved on 20 as Brown put down a catch as she slid in from extra cover.

  The wicketkeeper made only three more runs however, as Molineux got her second wicket with a simple caught and bowled on an impressive return to the World Cup stage after injury trouble.

  Silva provided some resistance without improving the scoring rate, finishing on 29 not out from 40 balls.

  Her 34-run partnership with Anushka Sanjeewani was ended by Megan Schutt, who took two wickets in two balls to tie Shabnim Ismail for the most T20 World Cup wickets with 43 as Sri Lanka posted 93 for seven.

  Australia lost captain Alyssa Healy in the opening over of the reply as she was clean bowled by Udeshika Prabodhani.

  The gamble to promote Georgia Wareham up the order did not pay off as she was run out thanks to smart fielding from Kavisha Dilhari to leave Australia at 14 for two.

  It was left to the uber-calm Mooney to steer the chase and she steered Australia to 62 for three at the halfway stage alongside Gardner.

  The partnership was eventually broken at 43 as Gardner skied a shot that Samarawickrama gladly gobbled up, but it only postponed the inevitable.

  Mooney ended on 43 not out, as she picked up where she left off in World Cup cricket, having been named Player of the Final in 2023 for her 78 not out in their victory.

  Australia too continued their winning form at World Cups with a 12th victory in a row to triumph by six wickets.

  Scores in brief

  Australia v Sri Lanka at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  Sri Lanka 93/7 in 20 overs (Nilakshika Silva 29 not out, Harshitha Samarawickrama 23; Megan Schutt 3/12, Sophie Molineux 2/20)

  Australia 94/4 in 14.2 overs (Beth Mooney 43 not out, Ellyse Perry 17; Sugandika Kumari 1/16, Udeshika Prabodani 1/19)

  Result: Australia won by six wickets