Batting meltdown

—— Harpy Eagles bundled out for 122 as Cornwall mesmerizes batsmen

Guyana Harpy Eagles crumbled under the pressure created by Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ offspinner, Rahkeem Cornwall, on the first day of their final round match in the West Indies Championships.

At the National Stadium, Providence yesterday, table leaders Eagles won the toss and decided to bat first with their bowling department suffering the loss of Ronsford Beaton who was reported for a suspected action and Gudakesh Motie who is recovering from a back injury. The hosts were bundled out for 122 in 44.1 overs after a brief shower with Cornwall grabbing 427.

In reply the Leeward Islands Hurricanes closed on 133 for five after 43 overs to establish an 11-run lead

A 32-run partnership for the opening wicket between Matthew Nandu and Tagenarine Chanderpaul failed to set the Eagles up for an imposing total as Cornwall got into operation.

He removed Nandu for the top score of 22 from 36 balls, caught behind by wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton after hitting four boundaries.

The off-spinner also removed Kevlon Anderson for 16 from 44 balls, Kevin Sinclair for 12 and Eagles captain, Leon Johnson, who is playing in his final match for eight as Eagles slipped to 75 for four at lunch.

Chanderpaul made 12 while Antony Adams, returning to the first-class set-up for the first time since his debut in 2017, was left stranded on 12 not out from 22 balls. No other batsmen reached double figures and Extras contributed 22.

Cornwall was supported by left-arm bowlers Colin Archibald and Javier Spencer with two wickets each.

In their turn at the crease, the Hurricanes looked at ease and flew past the small total despite Nial Smith removing Larry Audain for a 10-ball duck.

However, Kieran Powell and Keacy Carty then shared in a 69-run partnership for the second wicket.

Powell made 39 from 75 balls and struck five boundaries before he was dismissed by Sinclair. Carty made 23 before he was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul (223) who also accounted for the wicket of Devon Thomas (02).

Hamilton is on 35 not out from 21 balls.

AT QUEEN’S PARK OVAL:

Alick Athanaze hit the top score of 59 and became the first batsman to cross 600 runs for the season while Tevyn Walcott made 55 and Ryan John added 41 as the Windward Islands Volcanoes were bowled out for 237 in their first innings about 50 minutes before the scheduled close, narrowly missing out on two batting bonus points.

Jordan bagged five for 44 from 16 overs to lead the demolition, all-rounder Roshon Primus supported with two for 44 from 11 overs, and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, took two for 57 from 19.5 overs, as Pride, aiming to beat Volcanoes and claim second place, got all three bowling bonus points and 1.6 pace bowling points.

Pride started their first innings strongly, reaching 48 without loss when stumps were drawn with Zackary McCaskie not out on 26 and left-handed fellow opener Shayne Moseley not out on 21.

Jordan struck twice in the first half-hour, as the Volcanoes slumped to 17 for three after they won the toss and decided to bat.

However, Athanaze shared partnerships of 47 with Sunil Ambris (28) and 98 with Walcott to take them to 162 for five.

Walcott was lbw to Jordan about 40 minutes before tea, triggering a slide in which four wickets – three to the pacer – fell for 21 in the span 33 balls, and the Volcanoes stumbled to 184 for eight at the break.

John returned after tea and coaxed his side past 200 with some resolute batting before Warrican bowled him to bring the innings to a close.

AT THE BRIAN LARA CRICKET ACADEMY:

Terrance Hinds batted for 2-3/4 hours and rescued Red Force with a top score of 94 and international Anderson Phillip supported with 63 in a rearguard effort before the home team were bowled out for 302 in their first innings a little before the scheduled close. Derval Green was the most successful bowler for the Scorpion with three for 56 from 15 overs and fellow pacers Marquino Mindley and Ojay Shields, as well as left-arm spinner

Rahkeem Cornwall Jeavor Royal finished with two wickets apiece.

Scorpions were five for one in reply after Phillip got opener Tevin Gilzene bowled for one, playing on a short, rising penultimate ball of the day to signal to close of play for the day.

Red Force were 41 for four in the second hour of the day after they decided to bat before a stand of 71 either side of lunch between West Indies Test wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva and Tion Webster stabilized the innings.

Da Silva made 39 and

Webster got 30, but they were two of three wickets that tumbled in the space of 20 balls and had Red Force reeling on 119 for seven before Hinds took matters into his hands.

He added 66 for the eighth wicket with Bryan Charles, and further frustrated the Scorpions with a stand of 100 for the ninth wicket with Phillip before he was lbw to Shields, and Royal bowled West Indies pacer Shannon Gabriel to bring the curtain down on the innings.

The matches continues today from 10.00 hours.