Sterling batting performances by Vishual Singh and Keemo Paul ensured Guyana Harpy Eagles remained in the contest against the Windward Islands Volcanoes who lead by 169 runs heading into the final day of their first-round match of the West Indies championship.
Resuming on 181 for five at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad, Singh and Paul ensured Harpy Eagles reached 327 all out in 97.3 overs, just 12 runs short of Volcanoes’ first innings. Volcanoes then closed the day on 157 for seven after 47 overs at the crease.
Singh anchored the innings to convert his overnight score of 40 to 93 before he was stumped off of Kenneth Dember. Singh’s 221-ball stay at the crease featured nine boundaries and he shared in a sixth-wicket partnership of 146 runs with Paul. Paul also moved from his overnight score of 20 to bring up his third first-class half century, reaching 73 from 133 balls. He hammered six fours and a six before being trapped by Dember leg before wicket.
Clinton Pestano and Veerasammy Permaul each contributed 15 runs.
Dember ended with 4-36. Sherman Lewis bagged 4-59 while Preston McSween returned 2-78.
In Volcanoes’ second innings, Harpy Eagles were in full flight as Nial Smith (1-35) removed veteran, Devon Smith, for a four-ball duck while Paul (2-30) returned to dismiss Teddy Bishop and Kavem Hodge for 15 runs each.
Alick Athanaze followed up his half century in the first innings by hitting nine boundaries on his way to 58 from 63 balls before he was removed by Veerasammy Permaul (2-41).
Pestano (2-25) sent back Keron Cottoy and Denis Smith while Permaul trapped Ryan John leg-before-wicket. However, a 32-run, eighth-wicket partnership between Larry Edward (29 not out from 60 balls) and Dember ( nine not out from 59 balls) frustrated the Eagles.
The match resumes today at 10.00 hours for the final day.
