Guyana’s Harpy Eagles will continue their push to recapture the West Indies Championship title in their fourth round match up against Jamaica Scorpions starting today in Trinidad.
Both teams have resumed the tournament in dominating fashion with Eagles securing a five wicket win over Barbados Pride following a massive first innings total and Scorpions registering victory over Windward Islands Volcanoes by an innings and 14 runs.
Pride lead the table with 47.2 points while Eagles are just 5.8 points behind and in forth position. Leeward Islands Hurricanes (46.4 points) and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (43 points) are also above Eagles while Scorpions are in fifth with 29.6 points. Windward Islands Volcanoes round off the table with 15.6 points.
Eagles, who won the championship for five consecutive seasons before surrendering the reins to Pride, would be happy with the grit of Tagenarine Chanderpaul who responded to calls for his axing with the second highest individual score of the tournament, 140 not out. That score inspired Eagles to 490 for seven declared which is their highest total of the season.
Chanderpaul is currently the leading run getter for the South American side with 230 runs at an average of 57, while Gudakesh Motie struck his maiden century. Eagles will be hopeful that the experienced duo of Anthony Bramble and Vishaul Singh will be ready for action.
Bramble was struck by Akeem Jordan while batting and played no further part in the match, while Stabroek Sport understands Singh was ill. Should Singh return, it could mean Akshaya Persaud losing his place in the playing XI.
With Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tevin Imlach, Keemo Paul, and Leon Johnson, all showing promise, the batting order will give Scorpions cause to ponder.
Conversely, Scorpions have had their issues with the bat and have been dependent on John Campbell who has a tally of 261 runs. Jermaine Blackwood and Paul Palmer are the next most prolific batters with 148 runs each. However, Scorpions’ fans will be brimming with confidence following Brandon King’s third first-class century in his lone match of the contest.
With the ball, Marquino Mindley has piloted the side with 13 wickets under his belt. Jamie Merchant has played the perfect fit, balancing the side with 147 runs and nine wickets. Nicholson Gordon has also been vital with his nine wickets as well as the trio bumped the fast-bowling points for Scorpions.
Meanwhile, with Eagles, left-arm spinners, Veerasammy Permaul and Motie, have led the bowling charts with 13 and 11 wickets respectively. Paul and Nial Smith have been in good stead with 11 and seven wickets respectively.
Demetri Cameron has made his debut and picked up one wicket but with Ronsford Beaton in the travelling reserves, the only change to the bowling attack could be the inclusion of off-spinner, Kevin Sinclair, given that Scorpions have lost 60 per cent of their wickets to spinners.
Pride and Red Force will also face off while Volcanoes and Leeward Hurricanes will do battle in this round.
