Bouncing Back from a Forgettable Year
For Blackwood, 2024 was a year to forget in red-ball cricket. A dismal run in the West Indies Championship saw him score just 88 runs in nine innings for the Jamaica Scorpions, a stretch that led to him losing the captaincy and, eventually, his spot in the team. This setback came just months after he had also lost his place in the West Indies Test squad.
Now 33, Blackwood has approached the 2025 season with renewed energy and purpose. And if the first round of the tournament is anything to go by, he has every reason to believe that this could be the season that propels him back to international cricket.
A Statement Performance in St. Vincent
Blackwood made his intentions clear in the opening round of the 2025 West Indies Championship, delivering a match-defining century that piloted the Jamaica Scorpions to an emphatic 178-run victory over the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Arnos Vale Sports Complex.
Known for his aggressive stroke play, Blackwood showcased a more measured and calculated approach, crafting a crucial 109 off 215 balls. His innings, which included nine boundaries, marked his ninth first-class century and set the foundation for a decisive win in challenging conditions
A New Mindset, A Renewed Drive
Despite his naturally attacking instincts, Blackwood has spent the past few months refining both his technique and mindset. A key influence in his mental transformation has been his conversations with fellow West Indian cricketer, all- rounder Andre Russell.
That newfound clarity was evident against the Volcanoes, where Blackwood followed up his first-innings century with a composed half-century in the second innings. The twin knocks pushed him past the milestone of 8,000 first-class runs, a feat he acknowledges but refuses to dwell on.