Harpy Eagles’ practice match prior to Regional 4-Day 2023: Nandu misses out on century, but sends strong signal to selectors

– Joseph bags four wickets

By Brandon Corlette at Providence, EBD

West Indies Under-19 batsman Matthew Nandu has shown grit and determination in compiling a solid 78 runs in the Guyana Harpy Eagles’ first four-day practice match at Providence, EBD.
On a day blessed with glorious sunshine, Veerasammy Permaul’s XI were bowled out for 261 in 86 overs. Right-arm fast-bowler Shamar Joseph claimed 4-30 in eight overs, while Gudakesh Motie took 3-38 in 16 overs.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s XI had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl on a surface that was assailed by a lot of rain over the past weeks. Young left-handed openers Matthew Nandu and Rampertab Ramnauth negotiated well in adding 60 runs for the opening stand. The duo saw off the dangerous quicks Clinton Pestano, Demetri Cameron and Shamar Joseph.
Then the spin trio of Kevin Sinclair, Anthony Adams and Gudakesh Motie came into play, and Motie removed the 17-year-old Ramnauth for 27. The left-hander Ramnauth had looked promising with his 59-ball knock, which included five fours, before he was caught at deep square leg by a diving Mavindra Dindyal.

Nandu, showing more patience, was unbeaten on 35 at lunch, while Imlach was on 11, as Permaul’s XI reached 89-1 after 32 overs at the interval.
In the afternoon session, the Canada-born Nandu showed more positivity and played some top shots, among them edging Tyndall to third man for a boundary, to reach his fifty from 124 balls. Nandu struck Tyndall for four boundaries in the 43rd over, apparently signalling to the selectors that he wants the opening batsman’s position for the upcoming Regional Four-Day.
The left-handed Nandu stroked Motie for four at point to take his score to 73, then then paddle-scooped Motie for another boundary, but his innings came to a close when he was run out. Nandu struck 12 fours in his 78 runs from 147 balls, during which he occupied the crease for 190 minutes.
Imlach, who looked comfortable, was stumped for 33 off Motie, after he had struck three fours and one six. The duo of Imlach and Nandu added 86 runs for the second wicket.
Akshaya Persaud looked out of sorts, and was caught off Motie for a duck when he skied one to midwicket.

Kevlon Anderson slammed Rampersaud for two boundaries in his first over, and his promising innings of 25 lasted for 45 balls. Anderson stroked five fours before he was caught at short midwicket off the bowling of Antony Adams.
At tea, Permaul’s XI had reached 192-5 off 65 overs. Garfield Benjamin and Shamar Yearwood were the unbeaten batsmen. Benjamin was then left high and dry when he was run out for four. Yearwood and Ronaldo Ali Mohammed added 43 runs together.
The left-handed Yearwood looked promising in scoring 36 from 97 balls, but was undone by the brilliance of the young Berbician pacer Joseph, who had a late burst with the new ball. This seamer, who plays for Tucber Park in Berbice, has also thrown his name in the selectors hat for the upcoming Regional Four-Day tournament.
Ali-Mohammed continued to play positive strokes, but then lost his partner Junior Sinclair for a duck to Joseph at 248-8. With a fast-bowler’s place up for grabs, Joseph continued to chip away with wickets. Ali-Mohamed, his third wicket, was caught behind for a shot-filled 34 at 261-9.
Joseph, who put the ball in the right areas during his last spell, closed the innings when he removed Nial Smith for a duck at 261 all out in 86 overs. Joseph and Motie were the star bowlers of the day.
In reply, Chanderpaul’s XI negotiated the two overs, ending on 3-0 at stumps. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was on two while Chandrapaul Hemraj was on one.
The second day of the four-day match is expected to resume at 9:30h. Guyana Harpy Eagles are preparing for the West Indies Championships. They start their campaign on February 1, against Barbados Pride in Antigua.