The 2026 West Indies Championship is poised to get underway this Sunday in Antigua, where one of the regional circuit’s most anticipated opening series will see Leeward Islands Hurricanes lock horns with Trinidad and Tobago Red Force across three tightly contested four-day matches. All three fixtures will be hosted on Antiguan soil, with the opening clash taking place at Coolidge Cricket Ground, followed by matches at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and Antigua Recreation Ground across subsequent weeks.
For the Hurricanes, the new championship cycle brings a fresh leadership change: 32-year-old Barbadian all-rounder Justin Greaves will take the captain’s reins for the first time since he joined the franchise three years ago, the appointment confirmed in an official press release from Cricket West Indies (CWI). Greaves has described the opportunity to lead his side as one of the biggest honours of his professional career, saying he is eager to lead from the front on the field while leaning on the wisdom of seasoned veterans in his squad. “Leadership has always been a core part of how I approach the game,” Greaves noted, adding that he plans to set the tone for the team through consistent, high-impact performances in every contest.
The last meeting between these two regional powerhouses delivered a run-fest for the record books, ending in a high-scoring draw that saw both sides rack up more than 1,100 combined runs. Trinidad and Tobago’s captain Joshua Da Silva led the charge with centuries in both innings, while veteran batter Jason Mohammed notched an impressive double century. Undaunted, the Hurricanes responded with an opening partnership of more than 200 runs, with Mikyle Louis and Kadeem Henry both reaching three-figure scores. Both batmen retain their places in Greaves’ 13-man squad for the upcoming series, joined by Jewel Andrew – who hit a double century in recent pre-season trial matches – and Karima Gore, who also turned heads with a century in warm-up play.
Greaves has expressed confidence in his squad’s depth and balanced roster, saying the group has all the tools to compete consistently across the full series. He highlighted that consistent discipline, incremental improvement across matches, and focused execution in every phase of play will be critical to unlocking success for the Hurricanes. On the opposing side, Red Force brings a wealth of elite experience to Antigua, with no fewer than nine members of their 13-man squad holding international caps for West Indies. Greaves acknowledged the significant challenge posed by Red Force’s seasoned pace bowling unit, but framed the series as a critical early opportunity for his side to prove they belong among the region’s top contenders, noting that the Hurricanes believe they are one of the strongest teams in the championship and must back that claim with results.
For Trinidad and Tobago, the 2026 cycle carries extra motivation: it has been 20 full years since the side last claimed the Regional Four-Day Championship title, and their 2025 title bid was derailed by a shock defeat to Jamaica Scorpions in the penultimate round of the season. This year, with only three group-stage matches on the schedule, captain Da Silva says there is zero room for error, making a strong opening start non-negotiable. “We have a very well-rounded group: our batting unit has plenty of international experience, our senior fast bowlers are in top form, and our spinners have performed consistently for us over the past year,” Da Silva explained of the side’s prospects.
One of the most anticipated additions to the Red Force squad is Evin Lewis, who is set to make his return to first-class cricket after a nearly 10-year absence. Da Silva said the side has been thrilled by Lewis’ reintegration into the group, noting the star batter has come into the camp with a renewed work ethic and sharp form in pre-season training. Beyond his on-field contributions, Da Silva highlighted Lewis’ positive impact on team culture, saying “he really brings us together” with his experience and leadership in the dressing room.
Recent head-to-head history gives a slight edge to the Hurricanes, who have claimed two wins from the last four meetings between the sides, with the remaining two fixtures ending in draws. But Red Force is approaching the series as a fresh starting point, with Da Silva emphasizing that past results will have no bearing on the contest ahead. “Success comes down to focusing on the present, staying consistent, and executing the fundamentals over four days of play,” Da Silva said. With both sides locked in and ready to compete, the three-match series is set to deliver an intense, high-stakes opening to the 2026 West Indies Championship, with plenty of regional title implications on the line from the first ball.