Harpy Eagles start Super50 campaign with thrilling win over Volcanoes

Guyana Harpy Eagles started their campaign in the CG United Super50 Cup with a thrilling 10-run win over Windward Islands Volcanoes in a day/night contest on Tuesday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.

Inserted to take first strike, the Harpy Eagles managed what seemed to an inadequate 229-9 at the half. However, the bowlers weaved their magic, overcoming half-centuries from Alick Athanaze and Andre Fletcher, to pull off a tense win.

Athanaze, opening the batting, gave the Volcanoes a solid platform and a great chance at victory, but once he departed wickets started to stumble.

Despite the best efforts of Fletcher, his side fell short with as many as four overs to spare.

Athanaze made 75 off 55 (11x4s, 2x6s), Fletcher 52* off 86 (2x4s), while Shemar Springer 21 off 33 (1×4) and Sunil Ambris 19 off 30 (2x4s) got starts.

Bowling for Harpy Eagles, Romario Shepherd took 3-35 off eight overs, Kevin Sinclair 2-42 off eight and Nial Smith 2-43 off six.

Batting first, Harpy Eagles innings never really got that huge impetus after a slow start by the top and middle order.

Sinclair made 41 off 48 (4x4s, 1×6), Tevin Imlach 41 off 73 (3x4s), Gudakesh Motie 29 off 19 (4x4s, 1×6), Tagenarine Chanderpaul 29 off 60 (1×4), Sherfane Rutherford 22 off 17 (1×4, 2x6s) and Shimron Hetmyer 21 off 30 (3x4s).

Bowling for Volcanoes, Ryan John took 4-60 off 10 overs and Shadrack Descarte 2-25 off eight.

Guyana Harpy Eagles next match is against hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on Saturday (October 21) from 13:00h at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Rain affected the Red Force opening game against the Combined Campuses and Colleges on Tuesday, forcing a no-result at the Queen’s Park Oval.