Windward Islands Volcanoes’ captain, Alick Athanaze struck his second century in successive matches and together with Ryan John’s half-century, frustrated the Guyana Harpy Eagles bowlers on the first day of the West Indies four-day championships’ second round.
At St. George’s Grenada, Volcanoes won the toss and opted to bat first, posting 393 for eight after 78.5 overs.
Early inroads from the Guyanese seamers reduced Volcanoes to 26 for three by the end of the eighth over, but Athanaze revived the innings with a patient 141.
The Volcanoes captain reached the landmark after he was gifted a full toss that was guided to the square leg for a single.He struck 16 boundaries during his 220-ball stint before he was caught by Anthony Bramble behind the stumps off of left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul.
Athanaze shared a vital 76-run partnership for the fourth-wicket with Sunil Ambris to start the resurrection and saw his side to 116 for four at Lunch. Ambris looked set to make his third consecutive half-century, hitting two sixes and six fours in 47 from 38 balls before he was bowled by off-spinner, Kevin Sinclair.
When Ambris departed, Athanaze and Justin Greaves combined for an 89-run union. Greaves contributed 21 with three boundaries.
The healthiest partnership of the day came from John and Athanaze who added 90 for the seventh wicket after more than 30 overs at the crease together.
John is unbeaten on 50 from 113 balls with five boundaries.
For Eagles, Ronsford Beaton, Permaul and Sinclair have picked up two wickets each while Nial Smith and Shamar Joseph bagged one wicket each. The contest resumes today from 10.00 hours.
