West Indies 4-Day Championship 2023: Hurricanes on verge of win over Guyana Harpy Eagles

-Savory, Permaul lead fightback

By Brandon Corlette at Providence, EBD

Leeward Islands Hurricanes are on the verge of a victory against Guyana Harpy Eagles, despite Essequibo’s Prince Charming Kemol Savory and veteran Veerasammy Permaul producing fighting 60s.
At stumps on day three of this final-round match of the West Indies Championship, being played at Providence, EBD, Hurricanes were 81-1 after 30 overs, requiring 63 runs for a win, with nine wickets in hand. Kieran Powell is unbeaten on 47, and Keacy Carty is on 17.
This win for the Hurricanes will put Guyana Harpy Eagles’ Championship win in jeopardy, as they will have to hope Windward Islands lose against Barbados, or rain plays spoilsport.

Earlier, Guyana resumed day three on 48-1. Due to rain on day two, play commenced at 9:30h. Test opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the first to be dismissed by the impressive Rahkeem Cornwall. Kevlon Anderson, who looked set for a big score, gifted his wicket to Cornwall when he attempted to reverse sweep Cornwall, at 68-3. The big off-spinner extracted turn and bounce, and was rewarded. Anderson departed for 31 from 45 balls in an innings which had four boundaries.
Leon Johnson, playing his final match for Guyana, went out to bat for a final time. He was watched by his family, friends and school teacher. He also fell to this top off-spinner when he left one alone and was bowled. Guyana had by then slipped to 93-4, and six runs later, Tevin Imlach perished.

The dominant Cornwall also had some loud appeals. Imlach made only two, and Guyana were staring down the barrel of a proverbial gun named defeat at 99-5. The Guyanese reached lunch on 158-5, leading by 33 runs at that stage. Kemol Savory was unbeaten on 35, but he retired hurt due to some cramps, while Kevin Sinclair and Veerasammy Permaul stood firm.
Sinclair was looking aggressive, but he fell to seamer Colin Archibald for 31 from 49 balls. He struck three fours and one six. After Sinclair departed, Permaul and Savory displayed grit and determination. Permaul was the enforcer as he added 76 runs with Savory for the seventh wicket.
Before tea, Permaul was dismissed for 65 from 97 balls in an innings which had eight fours and one six. This was his second fifty of the tournament.
Guyana reached 249-8 after 72 overs at tea. Upon the resumption of the final session, Savory ran out of partners as he recovered from his cramps and ended unbeaten on 66 from 157 balls. He struck five fours and one six.
Cornwall ended with eight wickets in the match; he had 4-58 from 22 overs. He exited the field with an injury, but had already dented the Eagles’ top-order. Seamer Jeremiah Louis had 3-66 in 17 overs, as Guyana were bowled out for 267 in 79 overs.
The Guyanese had a lead of 142 runs, and Leeward Islands needed 143 runs to win with approximately two hours left in the day. Play will resume at 10:00h today.

Summary of other matches
TTRF vs JS: TTRF 302 & 102/1 (24.2) Mohan 44*.
JS 125 & 275 (70.5) Blackwood 68, Lugg 66; I Khan 4/47.
Red Force won by 9 wickets.
WIV vs BP: WIV 237 & 225 (73.2) Ambris 79; Warrican 4/58.
BP 227 & 28/3 (17) Dember 1/1.
Pride need 208 runs to win.