ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – It will take nothing short of a miracle to prevent the Guyana Harpy Eagles from lifting their second consecutive West Indies Championship title after they batted themselves into a dominant position against the second-placed Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the end of Friday’s penultimate day.
Meanwhile, the combined campuses and colleges picked up their first tournament victory by crushing the Jamaica Scorpions by five wickets, which ended positively.
At the Queens Park Oval: The Guyana Harpy Eagles can taste the champagne after a strong batting performance by their lower order, ensuring they will repeat as champions for a second year running.
Resuming the day on 269 for five, a lead of only 29 runs, the visitors garnered another 194 additional runs to be eventually dismissed for 463, a healthy lead of 223 runs.
The Red Force finished the day on 101 for two, requiring another 122 runs to make the Harpy Eagles bat again with a very slim chance of pushing for victory on Saturday’s final day of play.
The Harpy Eagles’ impressive batting performance was led by Keemo Paul, who made 93 from 126 balls, and veteran Veerasammy Permaul, who hit an unbeaten 52 from 94 balls.
Paul and overnight partner Kevin Sinclair scored 295 before offspinner Jyd Goolie had the latter caught behind for 35.
With Paul seven runs short of a well-deserved century, left-arm spinner Khary Pierre caught him by Kamil Pooran, and pacer Joshua James dismissed Ronaldo Alimohamed shortly after to leave the Harpy Eagles 341 for eight.
Permaul and Ashmead Nedd (22) and Nial Smith added 122 crucial runs for the last two wickets to frustrate the home side and solidify their position.
Pierre finished with 4-119, while Goolie and Joshua James snared two wickets.
Amir Jangoo scored an even half-century, while Cephas Cooper ended the day unbeaten on 26, as the Harpy Eagles closed out the day in a strong position.
At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) predictably cruised to victory over the Jamaica Scorpions, recording their first win in seven matches.
The Scorpions offered some resistance, with captain John Campbell leading the fightback with his ninth first-class century to help them extend their overnight score of 206 for five to 342.
Campbell, who had retired hurt on 33 the previous day, returned to score 104 from 112 balls with 14 fours and one six.
He received good support from Peat Salmon, who made 35, and Odean Smith (12), who gave the Scorpions’ bowlers a shot of pulling off a come-from-behind victory.
Larry Edward grabbed 5-86 for the CCC, while pacer Chemar Holder took 3-79.
The Scorpions started positively, with offspinner Peat Salmon grabbing Johann Jeremiah’s and Damel Evelyn’s wickets cheaply. At the same time, Marquino Mindley dismissed Kieran Powell to reduce CCC to 46 for three.
Kyle Corbin and Daniel Williams scored 11 before losing their wickets, leaving the contest evenly poised at 97 for five.
However, first-innings century-maker Shaqkere Parris was once again the hero, hitting an unbeaten 85 from 87 balls. Together with Romario Greaves, who ended on 19 not out, the pair shared an unbroken partnership of 58 to see their team to safety.
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