BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Both Windward Islands Volcanoes and Leeward Islands Hurricanes were eyeing victory after dominating the third day of their final-round encounters in the West Indies Championship on Friday.
At Queen’s Park Park Oval in Port of Spain, Volcanoes seized control after setting reigning champions Barbados Pride a victory target of 236 and then reducing them to 28 for three at the close.
And at the Guyana National Stadium, Hurricanes were poised to inflict leaders Guyana Harpy Eagles with their first defeat of the season and possibly endanger their title quest after finishing the day on 81 for one in pursuit of 143.
The results from both games will have a massive impact on the title’s destination, as Volcanoes entered the final round behind Harpy Eagles by 10.2 points.
Resuming the morning precariously perched on 14 for four in their second innings – a lead of only 24 runs – Volcanoes were rescued by former Test batsman Sunil Ambris who top-scored with an invaluable 79 as they reached 225 all out.
Yet to score at the start, the right-hander held the innings together in a knock that required 141 balls and nearly 3-¾ hours, including nine fours and a six.
He anchored two significant half-century stands – a 77-run fifth wicket partnership with Kavem Hodge, who made 27, and then a 69-run sixth wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Tevyn Walcott who struck 35.
Volcanoes lost only one wicket in the morning session – that of Hodge, who resumed the morning on four – the right-hander bowled by fast bowler Jair McCallister (2-21).
Ambris, unbeaten on 52 at the interval with Volcanoes on 102 for five, was one of two wickets to fall in the second session, lbw to West Indies fast bowling prospect Akeem Jordan (2-59) at 172 for seven.
Ryan John then propped up the lower order, belting an unbeaten 37 from 67 deliveries with four fours and a six.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican added two wickets to his haul, ending with four for 58.
Faced with a tricky chase, Pride’s top order fell apart quickly as Zachary McCaskie (0), first-innings century-maker Shayne Moseley (10), and rookie Rashawn Worrell (8) all perished cheaply.
Harpy Eagles faced a tall order at the start on 48 for one and needed half-centuries from Kemol Savory (66 not out) and tail-ender Veerasammy Permaul (65) to get up to 267 all out in their second innings.
Test batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul failed to add to his overnight 20 when he was lbw to off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (4-58) in the day’s second over with only two runs added to the total, his demise leading to a collapse that saw four wickets tumble for 49 runs.
Savory, who retired hurt on 35, returned to complete his innings which eventually lasted 157 balls and just short of four hours and included five fours and a six.
Permaul was more forthright in his approach, belting eight fours and six off just 97 balls, posting 76 for the seventh with Savory.
Needing early wickets to haul themselves back into the game, there was no luck for the hosts as Kieran Powell punched an unbeaten 47 off 87 balls with five fours to put Hurricanes in control of the chase.
The left-hander posted 46 for the first wicket with Larry Audain (12) and a further 35 in an unbroken second-wicket partnership with Keacy Carty (17 not out).
and then 