Four-Day: Motie and seamers set up intriguing final day as Harpy Eagles chase 232

Another incisive effort from Gudakesh Motie, complemented by a clinical new-ball burst from the seamers, has left the West Indies Regional Four-Day clash between Guyana Harpy Eagles and Windward Islands Volcanoes on a knife-edge.

By stumps on the third day at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the Harpy Eagles reached 38 for 1, requiring a further 194 runs to secure a come-from-behind victory.

FULL SCORECARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/f89cda16-6d0d-49e9-a8d3-961a7afdd375/scorecard/1

The day began with the Harpy Eagles resuming their first innings at 257 for 9, trailing the Volcanoes by 29 runs.

They managed to add only seven more to their overnight total before being dismissed for 264, handing the Windward Islands a slender 22-run lead.

Gilon Tyson was the pick of the bowlers for the Volcanoes, finishing with 5 for 69, while Kemol Savory and Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s earlier contributions of 77 and 70 remained the bedrock of the Guyana total.

With the narrow advantage in hand, the Volcanoes’ second innings started in disastrous fashion as Keemo Paul and Nial Smith utilized the new ball to devastating effect. The pair shared four quick wickets, ripping through the top order to leave the Volcanoes reeling and the match wide open.

However, Sunil Ambris stood tall amidst the wreckage as the experienced right-hander played a magnificent, unbeaten lone hand of 107, steering his side from the brink of collapse to a total of 209.

Ambris found some support from Shadrack Descarte, who contributed 39, but the story of the innings was once again the dominance of Motie.

The left-arm spinner followed up his first-innings heroics with figures of 4 for 46, ending the match with an impressive haul of 10 for 112 from 42.1 overs.

Chasing 232 for victory, the Harpy Eagles’ second innings began with an unexpected adjustment to the batting order. Test batsman Kevlon Anderson was promoted to open the innings alongside Matthew Nandu, as regular opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was sidelined with a finger injury.

The complications for Guyana do not end there, with Raymond Perez also carrying a shoulder injury that saw him bat at number 11 in the first innings.

It is understood that Chanderpaul will be available to bat on the final day.

The chase hit an early snag when Anderson fell for four to the bowling of Ryan John, but Tevin Imlach joined Nandu to stabilise the innings.

Imlach showed positive intent to finish the day unbeaten on 27, while Nandu remained patient on seven.

Summarised scores of other matches: 

At Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 507-5 dec. from 145  overs (Amir Jangoo 203*,  Terrance Hinds 100*,  Joshua DaSilva 62,  Evin Lewis 49; Oshane Thomas 3-98) beat Leeward Hurricanes 138 all out from 60.5 overs (Jahmar Hamilton 44, Jewel Andrew 27; Bryan Charles 3-9, Khary Pierre 3-34, Jayden Seales 2-31) & 98 all out from 52.3 overs (Justin Greaves 56*, Daniel Doram 16; Khary Pierre 4-37, Bryan Charles 2-15, Anderson Phillip 2-15) by an innings and 271 runs

At Chedwin Park, Jamaica: Barbados Pride 348 all out from 81.4 overs (Kevin Wickham 153, Kyle Mayers 64, Shamar Springer 40, Joshua Bishop 37; Marquino Mindley 4-32, Peat Salmon 4-102, Ojay Shields 2-58) & 255-5 from 71 overs (Kevin Wickham 81*, Shayne Moseley 65, Kraigg Brathwaite 44, Shamar Springer 37*; Abhijai Mansingh 2-56, Peat Salmon 2-63)  lead  Jamaica Scorpions 342 all out from 112.4 overs (Carlos Brown 61, Odean Smith 49, Peat Salmon 45, Romaine Morris 42, John Campbell 34, Kirk McKenzie 31; Jomel Warrican 5-71, Kyle Mayers 2-17) by 261 runs