West Indies Championship: Guyana’s pace threatens, but Seales keeps Red Force alive after Day 1

The pendulum swung both ways on Sunday at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda as the final match of this year’s West Indies Four-Day Championship bowled off.
Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) Captain Tevin Imlach called it right at the toss, opting to bowl first against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. It was a decision that eventually paid rich dividends for the defending champions, whose pace attack quickly reduced their challengers to 84-6.
However, this was not before a bit of controversy stirred, as a lengthy delay followed the first four balls of the clash, over arising concerns surrounding the condition of the pitch. It was the same venue which, weeks prior, saw a match between the Red Force and Leeward Islands Hurricanes being abandoned owing to dangerous pitch conditions.
When the action finally resumed, Keemo Paul struck early, removing Evin Lewis for a duck in the fourth over. Cephas Cooper and Jyd Goolie attempted the repair, but both were unable to convert their modest starts. Their 47-run partnership was ended when Cooper had to return to the dugout for 18, unable to read the pace of Shamar Joseph.

Jason Mohammed was Paul’s second victim, departing for 14 while Goolie’s 26-from-59-balls innings was ended at the hands of Nial Smith. After Amir Jangoo and Joshua Da Silva departed for four and a duck respectively, Trinidad’s nightmare became real as they teetered at 86-4.
It was truly the bowling department who rescued the Red Force. First, Khary Pierre struck an impressive 40 off 48 deliveries, while Terrance Hinds added 25 off 29.
With the likes of Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul joining the wicket party, the Red Force were facing a bowl-out under 200 runs, at 162-9.
However, Jayden Seales, known for his express pace, was the surprise of the day, slamming an unbeaten half-century to keep the Red Force alive at close of play.
Seales smashed six fours and two sixes for a thus-far unbeaten 63 off 71 balls, the only half-century on Trinidad’s scoresheet. Adding support was Anderson Phillip with an unbeaten 15 off 46 balls.
As such, the Red Force ended the day on 240-9 from 62 overs.
For Guyana bowlers, Smith snared 3-51 from 13 overs while Paul claimed 2-16 from 11.5 overs. Meanwhile, Motie picked up 2-45 from 13.
Day 2 action will resume at 10:00h today as the familiar foes battle for Four-Day supremacy in the Region.