The Guyana Harpy Eagles bowlers were made to toil under overcast conditions at the Conaree Cricket Ground yesterday, as experienced Trinidad & Tobago Red Force batsman Jason Mohamed hit an unbeaten century to pilot his side to 215/4 after bad light ended play early on the opening day.
The defending champions fielded four debutants: legspinner Steven Sankar, opener Raymond Perez, and bowling all-rounders Neiland Cadogan and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed. Earlier in the morning, Red Force won the toss and elected to bat on what seemed like a flat track, their decision seemingly justified by Mohamed’s century and Tion Webster’s even 50.
Despite a steady start from openers Vikash Mohan and Cephas Cooper, Harpy Eagles frontline fast bowler Ronsford Beaton found marginal movement in an out-swinger to the right-handed Cooper, who edged behind wicketkeeper Kemol Savoury to leave his side 24/1 in the ninth over.
Mohan soon followed, albeit retired and hurt after a good-length delivery from Ali Mohamed, who rose sharply, hitting him on the left forearm. Jyd Goolie then joined Jason Mohamed, but his stay was brief, as Beaton trapped him leg before wicket (LBW) for just three, leaving the Red Force at 32/2.
Amir Jangoo came in, and together, he and Mohamed put on a 56-run partnership to steady the innings. However, Jangoo (27), either from a loss of concentration or the urge to get a move on, danced down the wicket and could only lob the ball into the lap of silly point.
Tion Webster then joined Mohamed, who was by then settling into his work; together, the duo grounded out the Harpy Eagles bowlers in a century stand for the fourth wicket. Webster looked solid for his 50, which came in 92 deliveries and included four boundaries and a maximum, but was out-caught by Cadogan at midwicket trying to heave Permaul out of the ground.
Mohan, who recovered enough from his earlier injury, resumed his innings and was at the non-strikers end as Mohamed got to his 12th first-class century after spending 12 deliveries stuck on 99. By the time the umpires decided that bad light would not allow play to continue, Mohan was unbeaten on 20 (70 deliveries), while Mohamed faced a mammoth 227 deliveries for his century, which included 11 fours.
For Guyana, Ronsford Beaton led the bowling effort for the Harpy Eagles with 2-39, while Veerasammy Permaul took 2-43.
Meanwhile, over at Warner Park in Basseterre, St. Kitts, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes were dismissed for 137 by the CWI Academy. Jeremiah Louis scored the most with 45 runs, while Terence Warde and Jahmar Hamilton added 28 and 22 runs, respectively.
Joshua James was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-11, while Ashmead Nedd [2-3], Johann Layne [2-18], and Nyeem Young [2-52] provided ample support. In response, CWI Academy sits at 60/2. Mbeki Joseph is unbeaten at 30.
At Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, the hosts, the Scorpions, were dismissed for 159 against the Windward Islands Volcanoes. Romaine Morris and Peat Salmon scored 35 and 26 runs, respectively. Ryan John dismantled the Jamaica batting lineup with figures of 5-43, while Shamar Springer contributed 3-53. In response, the visitors sit in a strong position on 157/2, with Johann Jeremiah not out on 66 and Sunil Ambris unbeaten on 30. Kimani Melius and Jeremy Solozano chipped in with 31 and 26 runs, respectively.
At Chedwin Park in Jamaica, a ruptured water main drenched the outfield, which led to the Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners and Barbados Pride losing an entire day.
The match is programmed to resume today.
