FOUR-DAY: Permaul spins Harpy Eagles to vital first-innings points

Veerasammy Permaul’s prowess was on full display as he bagged 6-75 to lead the Guyana Harpy Eagles to crucial first-innings points against the West Indies Academy in their rain-affected Regional Four-Day encounter at the National Stadium, Providence.

This performance also saw Permaul reach a remarkable milestone of 652 first-class wickets.

The match, which saw significant interruptions due to rain, reached a tense climax on the final day.  Having been dismissed for 253 in their first innings, Guyana needed a strong bowling performance to gain an advantage in the day/night contest.

Permaul, bowling with his characteristic guile and control, proved to be the difference-maker as his 29 overs crippled the Academy’s batting lineup on Saturday.

Despite half-centuries from Joshua Bishop (54) and Rivaldo Clarke (50) and contributions from Ackeem Auguste (43) and Guyanese Mavendra Dindyal (32), the Academy could not withstand Permaul’s onslaught and were eventually bowled out for 249, giving the Harpy Eagles a slender but vital first-innings lead.

Nial Smith (2-57) and Gudakesh Motie (2-63) provided valuable support to Permaul.

Earlier in the match, Ronaldo Alimohamed top-scored for the Harpy Eagles with 66, while Gudakesh Motie contributed a vital 52.

Kemol Savory (39), Raymond Perez (29), Kevin Sinclair (29), and Kevlon Anderson (22) also chipped in, but the innings was held back by disciplined bowling from the Academy, with Jediah Blades (4-37) and Zishan Motara (3-37) leading the charge.

At the close of play on the final day, the Harpy Eagles were 44 for 4 in their second innings, with Kevin Sinclair contributing 24 and Tevin Imlach unbeaten on seven.

The Championship will now take a break before resuming on March 5.

In round four, the unbeaten Guyana Harpy Eagles will travel to Sabina Park to face the Jamaica Scorpions.

Below are the summarised scores from the other matches:

At Kensington Oval in Barbados: Jamaica Scorpions 231 all out from 67.5 overs (Odean Smith 50, Jeavor Royal 43; Chaim Holder 3-66, Kraigg Brathwaite 2-1, Jomel Warrican 2-42, Kemar Roach 2-45) & 180 from 54.2 overs (Javelle Glenn 66, Jeavor Royal 29, John Campbell 25; Jomel Warrican 3-42, Ramon Simmonds 2-36, Chaim Holder 2-56) vs Barbados Pride 293 all out from 86.4 overs (Jonathan Drakes 108, Leniko Boucher 55, Chaim Holder 26*, Matthew Forde 26; Brad Barnes 6-94, Jermaine Blackwood 2-32) & 121-1 from 33.5 overs (Jonathan Drakes 52*, Kraigg Brathwaite 47*; Odean Smith 1-24). Barbados Pride won by nine wickets.

At Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 529-5 dec. from 125 overs (Jason Mohammed 204*, Joshua Da Silva 152, Amir Jangoo 60; Rahkeem Cornwall 3-127) & 191-3 from 40.5 overs (Joshua DaSilva 100*, Cephas Cooper 52, Joshua James 29*; Alzarri Joseph 2-36) vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes 433 all out from 153.3 overs (Mikyle Louis 110, Kadeem Henry 100, Karima Gore 68, Jewel Andrew 40; Khary Pierr 5-93,  Yannic Cariah 5-103).  Result: Match drawn

 At Windsor Park in Dominica: Combined Campuses and Colleges 216 all out from 71.3 overs (Damel Evelyn 53, Johann Jeremiah 40, Demario Richards 30; Darel Cyrus 5-71, Kenneth Dember 3-68) & 60-0 from 22 overs (Damel Evelyn 37*, Kieran Powell 20*) vs Windward Islands Volcanoes 248 all out from 77.5 overs (Gian Benjamin 49, Kenneth Dember 49; Akeem Jordan 5-52, Romario Greaves 3-64). Result: Match drawn.