An instrumental innings by Kevin Sinclair along with support from last man in Ronsford Beaton ensured the Guyana Harpy Eagles a face-saving draw in their second-round clash against the Windward Islands Volcanoes Saturday. Playing at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, the Volcanoes posted 294 in their first innings while Eagles fell behind after making only 169 in their first innings.
However, an inspired bowling effort saw Volcanoes crumble for 168, setting Eagles a target of 294 for victory.
At 219 for nine, all seemed lost for Eagles but Sinclair produced his career-best score of 77 not out and along with Beaton spared his team’s blushes.
Speaking exclusively to this publication after returning home, Sinclair said that the mindset was, “Once we bat the overs, we will win the game.”
He added that there was a lot of nerves as he strode to the crease and he tried to avoid making any mistakes, knowing the consequences but with encouraging words from both ends, “we backed ourselves to deliver for the team.”
His 138-ball innings featured nine fours and one six while spanning close to three hours and saw him sharing in two vital partnerships. First, Sinclair batted with Akshaya Persaud, who came in as a concussion substitute for Chandrapaul Hemraj who was struck in the head on day three of the four-day fixture. Persaud went on to make 24 from 62 balls while sharing in a 64-run stand for the sixth wicket.
He them shared an unbeaten and arguably match-defining 39-run partnership for the last wicket with Beaton who ended on one not out from 24 balls.
“Knowing the pressure Akshaya was under, he came in and played a vital role, sharing in a 60-plus partnership and of course it was good for the team and then Beaton at the end coming in and batting, it showed his experience,” Sinclair said.
Asked if he would have pushed for the century in fading light he related that he was not disappointed but put the team’s position instead of chasing personal glory. “I’m not disappointed [I didn’t reach the century, I] just didn’t want the team to lose the game so I am happy I was out there to ensure that happened and it is a great feeling,” he declared.
