FOUR-DAY: Joseph takes maiden five-wicket haul; Harpy Eagles set target of 294

Guyana Harpy Eagles closed day three of the second round West Indies Four-Day match against Windward Islands Volcanoes 35-0, needing another 259 runs for an outright victory with one day remaining in Grenada.

Matthew Nandu (18) and Tevin Imlach (13) are the not out batsmen. Opener Chandrapaul Hemraj had to retire hurt on three, after he struck on the helmet by a rising delivery from fast bowler Darius Martin.

On a day interrupted by rain on more than one occasion, Guyanese fast bowler Shamar Joseph made his mark on regional cricket with a maiden five-wicket haul in just his second First-Class game.

The 23-year-old from Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice, who quit his job with a security firm to focus on cricket, impressed throughout the day, finishing with figures of 5-41 off penetrative 12 overs.

Joseph, who has never represented Guyana at any level before this tournament, was one of four newcomers in the Harpy Eagles 13-man squad.

“I quit my job because this is what I want and I always could have made it because I have the confidence I could have made it,” he had related to News Room Sport.

Joseph’s effort was crucial in Volcanoes being dismissed for 168 after gaining a first innings lead of 125, thereby setting Harpy Eagles a target of 294.

Ronsford Beaton picked up 3-35 as the Guyanese fast bowlers increased their wickets tally for the match to 13, earning crucial fast bowling points.

Justin Greaves (27), Sunil Ambris (26), Preston McSween (25) and Tevyn Walcott (23) all got starts for Volcanoes, but failed to carry on.

Summarised scores of the other two matches in Antigua:

At Coolidge Cricket Ground: Jamaica Scorpions 140 all out from 54.5 overs (Jamie Merchant 35, Tevin Gilzene 32, Abhijai Mansingh 27; Shamar Springer 3-11, Camarie Boyce 3-26, Akeem Jordan 3-48) and 151 all out from 45.5 overs Kirk McKenzie 56, Gordon Bryan 42; Akeem Jordan 4-65, Jair McAllister 3-35) vs Barbados Pride 215 all out from 69.5 overs (Shayne Moseley 82, Shane Dowrich 64*; Patrick Harty 4-23, Marquindo Mindley 2-25, Abhijai Mansingh 2-30) and 78-4 from 29.2 overs (Zachary McCaskie 26; Patrick Harty 3-26). Barbados Pride win by six wickets

At Sir Vivian Richards Stadium: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 418-9 from 126.5 overs (Daren Bravo 100, Imran Khan 92, Yannic Cariah 52, Terrance Hinds 51; Jeremiah Louis 3-78, Colin Archibald 3-111) vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes 243-7 from 87 overs (Kacey Carty 95, Rahkeem Cornwall 33*; Yannic Cariah 2-24, Khary Pierre 2-51, Bryan Charles 2-65)