As Regional first-class cricket returned yesterday, the first round opening day of the West Indies championship unfolded with Guyana Harpy Eagles’ bowlers being frustrated by Windwards Volcanoes’ last wicket pair.
Volcanoes won the toss and opted to bat first, closing the day on 277 for nine after 89 overs at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.
Shockingly, Preston McSween and Shermon Lewis are at the crease with an unbroken last wicket partnership of 62 runs from 15.4 overs.
Number 10 batsman, McSween flexed his skills with the bat, hitting four fours and two sixes one of which was off of Veerasammy Permaul that saw him taking a tumble as the ball sailed over long on. He will resume today on his career best 47 not out from 54 balls.
At the other end, Lewis was more patient, ending the day on 12 not out from 56 balls, laced with a boundary.
Earlier, It was vice-captain Keemo Paul and left-arm spinners, Permaul and Gudakesh Motie who starred with the ball.
Paul, who returned 3-63 from 20 overs, provided the Harpy Eagles with the early breakthrough, removing Kavem Hodge for 10 from 24 balls, the batsman guiding a soft catch to Leon Johnson at slip. Also, Clinton Pestano struck Kimani Melius on the helmet forcing him to retire not out without scoring.
However, veteran 40-year-old Devon Smith worked his way to his 64th first-class half century while Alick Athanaze went in on 24 not out from 40 balls as Volcanoes were 90 for one by lunch after 26 overs.
Smith came back but failed to add to his score of 52 as he too was caught by Johnson off of Paul after hitting nine boundaries during his 49-run partnership with Athanaze.
Athanaze then carried on to bring up his fourth half-century, 65 from 127 balls by the Tea break with his team 184 for three. Athanaze added 62 for the third wicket with Keron Cotty who made 34 from 49 balls before Johnson snatched his third catch of the match, this time off of Permaul. In the final session, Permaul also trapped Athanaze leg before wicket for 68 while Ryan John’s (12) 43-ball stay at the crease came to an end by Permaul who ended with 3-75 from 23 overs.
Motie went to work on the lower order, picking up 3-61 from 24 overs. Melius returned but only could manage three runs before Motie bowled the former West Indies under-19 captain. Shortly after, Larry Edward and Kenneth Dember were also sent back.
The match resumes today at 10.00 hours.
