Four-Day practice: Spinners hit targets as rain curtails final match

Rain played spoilsport on the fourth and final day of the second Guyana Harpy Eagles trial match at the Nationals Stadium, Providence.

While the match ended prematurely, the trials provided valuable match practice for the Harpy Eagles as they prepare to defend their West Indies Four-Day Championship from January 29, where they host Barbados Pride.

Resuming on 302-6, Smith’s XI added just 37 runs before being dismissed.

Ushardeva Balgobin, overnight on 70, could only add three more runs before falling to Thaddeus Lovell.

Jonathan Van Lange (45) and Junior Sinclair (23) offered some resistance, but the young and talented off-spinner Romario Ramdeholl’s five-wicket haul, including the dismissal of Sinclair, ensured Smith’s XI were bowled out for 339.

Savory’s XI faced a daunting target of 493 and despite a spirited start from openers Raymond Perez (37) and Brandon Jaikarran (16), they were soon derailed by the spin duo of Junior Sinclair and Veerasammy Permaul.

Permaul (4-48) and Sinclair (2-26) applied relentless pressure, dismantling the middle order. Rain intervened with Savory’s XI struggling at 125-7.

Performances in the two matches will count for a lot.

Skipper Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, and Kevin Sinclair will miss the first match due to West Indies duties, while Shamar Joseph should also miss out due to injury.