382 runs scored from 10 innings batted in
5 matches played for an average of 38.20.
Arguably, not exactly the sort of statistics any
Selector worth their salt should be looking for a
batsman to be included in an upcoming West Indies A
Team tour to Bangladesh.
That aggregate, however, included a highest score of
221 made for the West Indies Academy in its recent
second round match against Team Weekes during
this year’s inaugural Headley-Weekes Tris Series that
would definitely have caught the Selectors attention
and most certainly have booked Kirk McKenzie his
seat on the flight for the scheduled West Indies A
Team May 16 – June 2, 2023 Tour to Bangladesh.
Opening the batting for the Academy McKenzie
played a number of handsome shots on both sides of
the wickets. He’d raced to an unbeaten half-century
before rain brought an early close on the second day
of the Academy’s match against Team Weekes.
McKenzie struck eight fours from 80 balls in the just
over two hours at the crease it took for him to reach
his first fifty. That, however, was only the appetizer to
the main course entrée that was to follow the very
next day.
Resuming on the morning of the third day, McKenize
batted undefeated until the close of play. Enroute
he complied a majestic, maiden first-class double
century. In partnership with Kevin Wickham who
scored a composed, maiden first-class hundred, the
pair helped the Academy to reach 378-4 in
reply to Team Weekes’ posted first innings
total of 401.
At the close of play on the third day, the
left-handed McKenzie was undefeated
on 209 and Wickham was on 104 not
out. McKenzie reached his doublecentury
milestone from 340 balls when he
punched a delivery from left-arm spinner
Veerasammy Permaul through cover for his
25th four. By then he had cracked 25 fours
and a six from 365 balls during his seven
hours and 40 minutes stay in the middle.
Kirk McKenzie added only 12 to his
overnight score on the morning of the
match’s fourth and final day. He eventually fell for 221 in the 10th over of the day, having batted for 502
minutes, faced 386 balls, and struck 26 fours and one six. He also shared a record 259-run partnership
for the fifth wicket with his overnight partner Kevin Wickham.
A maiden double-century in only his sixth first-class outing by the still only twenty-year old Kirk Sanjay
Alexzander McKenzie, born in Jamaica on November 9, 2000. As an ambidextrous left-hand batsman
and right-arm off-spinner McKenzie made his first-class debut for Jamaica against the Leeward Islands
in June 2022, He has also represented his home-country Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier
League’s annual T20 tournament having made his T20 debut against the Trinbago Knight Riders on
September 5, 2021.
With the West Indies Academy added to the ever-growing list of teams Kirk McKenzie has now
represented, he will be seeking to be making further entries very soon. First off now almost certainly
the West Indies A Team later his month, Followed by, who knows, possibly even a West Indies Senior
Team Test debut in the not-too-distant future.
If he continues scoring superlative double-centuries like he did against Team Weekes, you certainly
wouldn’t bet against it! No one in their right mind should!