Guyana Harpy Eagles defeated the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 143 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy to stay top of the points table on the final day of the third round of the West Indie Championship, on Saturday.

Scorecard here

T&T Red Force captain Darren Bravo missed out on a third century as left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul spearheaded Guyana Harpy Eagles’ charge. Resuming the final day at the Brian Lara Stadium on 106-3 with their target of 412, Red Force put up strong resistance before being bowled for 268 in their second innings.

Bravo, started on 63, was dismissed for 95, off 170 balls, 249 balls with 11 fours.

In the second round last month, he scored a century in each innings against Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Wicketkeeper Amir Jangoo provided the resistance once Bravo was dismissed, finishing with an unbeaten 50 from 128 deliveries in three hours at the crease, while counting five fours and a six.

Lower-order batters Uthman Muhammad (25) and Justin Mannick (22) frustrated Harpy Eagles in the second session, each providing support for Jangoo. Permaul claimed 3-58 while Rosford Beaton (2-53) and Keemo Paul (2-73). All three bowlers took six wickets in the match.

Lewis ends match with first ball to claim fifer

Scorecard here

In the day’s other contest at Guyana National Stadium: Windward Islands Volcanoes needed a single delivery to wrap up a 181-run victory over Jamaica Scorpions. The Scorpions started the day at 233-9 in their second innings and fast bowler Shermon Lewis bowled Nicholson Gordon without scoring with the day’s first delivery to end the match.

Lewis finished with 5-22 to complete a fine return to first first-class action after playing his last game eight months ago. He finished with match figures of seven for 51 – which included his 100th wicket at first class level.

Windward Islands Volcanoes will now travel to Trinidad to face Leeward Islands Hurricanes in Round 4 while Scorpions remain in Georgetown to take on Guyana Harpy Eagles. The third match will be between archrivals hosts Trinidad & Tobago red Force and archrivals Barbados Pride at Queen’s Park Oval. Round 4 starts on Wednesday 22 March. First ball at 10am (9am Jamaica time).

Fans can stream all West Indies Championship matches live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel https://bit.ly/streamwichamps2023 and access live ball-by-ball scoring at http://windiescricket.com/ match centre.

Following the Championship, the new Headley/Weekes Series will feature three teams and matches, drawing from top performers in the 2023 West Indies Championship and players outside the starting West Indies Test XI. The Series will run from 18 April to 6 May at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

-ENDS-