A five-wicket haul from Nial Smith ensured Guyana Harpy Eagles a 183-run win over Barbados Pride in the first round of the West Indies four-day championships yesterday.
Resuming the final day at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua on 91 for eight, Eagles declared on 126 for nine after 44.1 overs, setting the defending champions a target of 278 for victory. Pride were rolled over for 94 in 36 overs. It was the third lowest total for Pride against the Harpy Eagles in the modern era of the Championship (1966 onwards) – but nowhere near their record lowest.
Earlier, Veerasammy Permaul converted his overnight score of 11 to 33 from 49 balls. He struck two fours before he was bowled by Akeem Jordan. His wicket ended a 36-run stand for the ninth wicket with Smith who was left on 12 not out from 47 balls.
Jordan ended with 3-32 while Keon Harding bagged four wickets. Pride found it difficult to bat on the fourth day pitch with Jonathan Drakes top scoring with 36 from 99 balls before falling to Smith. He had stroked six boundaries. Jordan returned to make 20 while Shamar Brooks’ 35-ball 12 was the only other double figure score as Smith ripped through the order to end with 5-31 from a mere 10 overs. His fellow seamer, Ronsford Beaton, supported with 2-11 while Permaul picked up 2-18 with his left arm spin.
The result meant that the Harpy Eagles start the tournament with a bag of 18 points, and the Pride limp away with only three.
In the second round, starting on Wednesday – Harpy Eagles face Windward Islands Volcanoes at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, and Pride meet Jamaica Scorpions at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
