FOUR-DAY: West Indies Academy pile on 423-6 to flatten Harpy Eagles on day one

West Indies Academy captain Rivaldo Clarke and  Amari Goodridge turned the Antigua Recreation Ground into a personal playground on Sunday, powering their side to a commanding 423 for 6 against a relatively depleted Guyana Harpy Eagles attack.

On a day where the Academy batsmen showcased the depth of talent waiting in the Caribbean wings, Clarke led from the front with a majestic, unbeaten 165.

FULL SCORECARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/3202a027-c2f8-4257-be29-cd0091ee2da0/scorecard

His innings, characterised by authoritative strokeplay, spanned 213 deliveries and featured 20 boundaries alongside five sixes.

While the Academy celebrated a position of absolute strength, the context of the encounter offered the Harpy Eagles some solace.

With a spot in the May 17 final already secured, the defending champions utilised this fixture—organised by Cricket West Indies to maintain competitive rhythm—to rest key personnel.

Several regular starters remained on the sidelines, though they are expected to return for the title-decider next week.

The Academy’s dominance was built on the back of an extraordinary, unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 254 runs between Clarke and Goodridge.

Goodridge, matching his skipper’s composure, reached the close of play on 109 not out off 160 balls and included nine fours and three sixes.

Earlier in the day, opener Mbeki Joseph set a frantic tempo, smashing 60 from just 53 balls to unsettle the new-ball pair of Nial Smith and a surprise move, Veerasammy Permaul.

Guyanese native Mavendra Dindyal also looked set for a substantial score against his home territory, but his fluent 45 off 53 balls ended prematurely just as he seemed destined for a significant score.

For the Harpy Eagles, the spin duo of Richie Looknauth and the veteran Permaul bore the brunt of the workload.

Looknauth finished the day with 3 for 86, while Permaul’s 28  overs yielded 3 for 113.

Play is scheduled to resume on Monday from 10:00h.

Summarised score in the other match:

At Coolidge: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 298-7 from 89.3 overs (Cephas Cooper 93, Joshua DaSilva 65*, Terrance Hinds 51, Amir Jangoo 41, Jyd Goolie 33; Shamar Springer 2-31, Johann Layne 2-56) v Barbados Pride