Nineteen-year-old Guyana Harpy Eagles opener, Matthew Nandu etched his name into the record books as he crossed the triple-figure mark in his maiden first-class match on day two against Barbados Pride, putting his team in the driver’s seat.
At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua Eagles resumed their first innings on 205 for five after being asked to bat and converted that to 371 all out in 121.1 overs. Pride are on 105 for three after 39 overs, still 266 runs behind Eagles.
Nandu transitioned his overnight score of 70 to 126 from 331 balls. He struck 14 fours along the way before edging a delivery outside the off-stump into the hands of Shamarh Brooks behind the stumps off of Jair McAllister.
Nandu’s overnight partner, Kevin Sinclair moved on to 43 form 69 balls after hitting eight boundaries but departed in similar fashion to Nandu and effectively ending their 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Nevertheless, vice-captain, Veerasammy Permaul joined Nandu and the pair shared in a 90-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Permaul got up to 37 from 95 balls with his innings decorated by six boundaries. Debutant Shamar Joseph also chipped in with a 32-ball 20, laced with four fours.
McAllister ended with 3-43 while Chaim Holder returned 3-72 and Akeem Jordan bagged 2-54.
In Pride’s first innings, they closed on 16 without loss at Tea and a 69-run opening stand between Zachary McCaskie and Sheyne Moseley was broken by Sinclair after McCaskie held out to Chandrapaul Hemraj at mid-off. He made 26 from 73 balls after hitting three boundaries.
Permaul then removed debutant Jonathan Drakes for a four-ball duck after he was trapped leg before wicket attempting a slug sweep.
Joseph captured his maiden first-class wicket to remove Moseley late into the piece for 65 from 107 balls as he edged a simple catch to Anthony Bramble behind the stumps. Moseley has carved nine boundaries during his time at the crease. Currently, Brooks is on 10 from 38 balls and Keon Harding is on three from 12 deliveries. The action continues on day three today at 10.00 hours
