Motie sparks collapse as Guyana seize slim 1st-innings edge

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) and the Windward Islands Volcanoes remain locked in a keen contest after two absorbing days in the third and final round of their bilateral series in the West Indies Four-Day Championship at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua and Barbuda.
Resuming Day Two at 22 for 1 in reply to Guyana’s first-innings total of 242, the Volcanoes faced an uphill task, trailing by 220 runs. Overnight batsmen Stephan Pascal (13*) and Kavem Hodge (7*) returned to the crease with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings.

By lunch, the Windwards had made encouraging progress, reaching 122 for 2 from 41 overs. Hodge led the charge with an assured unbeaten 60 from 98 deliveries, striking 10 fours, while Johann Jeremiah supported with 12 not out off 27 balls. The deficit had been reduced to 120 runs, setting the stage for an intriguing afternoon session.
Hodge continued his positive approach after the interval, crafting a well-compiled 74. Having negotiated the closing overs of Day One, he returned with confidence and composure, bringing up his half-century in style. His innings featured 10 boundaries and a six before he was dismissed by Shamar Joseph, just as he looked poised to push on to three figures.
Alick Athanaze provided further resistance with a fluent unbeaten 50 from 83 balls, including five fours and a six. However, the Volcanoes were eventually bowled out for 223 in 71.3 overs, falling just 19 runs short of Guyana’s first-innings total.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was the chief architect of the collapse, claiming 4 for 52 to lead the Harpy Eagles’ attack. Fast bowlers Nial Smith and Joseph provided valuable support with two wickets apiece, ensuring Guyana secured a slender first-innings advantage.

With a narrow lead of 19 runs, the Harpy Eagles began their second innings under pressure. Their start, however, mirrored the inconsistencies of their first. Matthew Nandu endured a second duck in the match, trapped leg-before-wicket by Ryan John, while Kevlon Anderson’s struggles continued as he laboured to just five runs from 26 deliveries.
By stumps on Day Two, Guyana had reached 44 for 2. Tagenarine Chanderpaul stood firm on 19 from 68 balls, and skipper Tevin Imlach was unbeaten on 16, tasked with extending the lead on the third morning.
With the match delicately poised and only 63 runs separating the sides overall, Day Three promises to be decisive as both teams vie for the upper hand in this final-round encounter. Play resumes at 10:00h.
In the other game, Trinidad and Tobago are firmly in the driver’s seat against the Leeward Islands at the close of Day Two in their West Indies Four-Day Championship encounter at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
After winning the toss and batting with authority, Trinidad and Tobago declared on a mammoth 522 for 9, built around a magnificent double century from skipper Joshua Da Silva. The right-hander produced a commanding 220, anchoring the innings with patience and class to put his side in a dominant position.
Karima Gore was the standout performer with the ball for the Leeward Islands, returning impressive figures of 4 for 86 despite the heavy workload. In reply, the Leeward Islands struggled to gain momentum against a disciplined Trinidad and Tobago bowling attack. By stumps on Day Two, they had slipped to 88 for 4 after 25 overs, still trailing by 434 runs.
Gore, adding to his impact on the match, remained unbeaten on a fighting 60 and will carry the responsibility of guiding his team’s recovery when play resume.