Harpy Eagles, Hurricanes cruise to victory in WI Championship

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

The Guyana Harpy Eagles and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes kicked off their 2025 West Indies Championship with resounding victories over the Barbados Pride and the West Indies Academy respectively yesterday.

At the Guyana National Stadium: The Harpy Eagles secured a dominant 10-wicket victory over the Pride on day three of their opening-round clash at the Guyana National Stadium.

Resuming their first innings at 315-3, the Harpy Eagles extended their total to 382 in 101.5 overs, overturning an overnight deficit of 31 runs. Matthew Forde starred with the ball for the Pride, claiming an impressive 5-69 from 19.5 overs, while Jair McAllister chipped in with two wickets for 68 runs in 13 overs.

Trailing by 36 runs, Barbados crumbled in their second innings, mustering only 112 in 41.4 overs. Captain Raymon Reifer top-scored with 37, while Jonathan Drakes and Kevin Wickham contributed 26 and 23, respectively.

Debutant Richie Looknauth was the chief destroyer, adding to his first-innings haul of 4-69 with a stunning 5-23 from 11.4 overs of off-spin. He got good support from Ronaldo Alimohamed, who took 2-36 in his nine-over spell.

Needing just 77 for victory, the Harpy Eagles’ openers made light work of the chase. Tagenarine Chanderpaul led the way with an unbeaten 40, while Matthew Nandu contributed 33 not out as the defending champions cruised to 78-0 in 28 overs, sealing a convincing win to start their campaign on a high note.

At the Coolidge Cricket Ground: The Leeward Islands Hurricanes stormed to a commanding 402-run victory over the West Indies Academy, wrapping up their opening-round clash inside three days in Antigua.

Resuming their second innings on 134-4 with an already formidable lead of 347, the Hurricanes pushed their total to 289-9 before declaring after 64.4 overs, leaving the Academy with a daunting target of 503 for victory.

Debutant Shelton Forbes built on his overnight 38 not out by crafting a patient 53 off 135 balls, while Colin Archibald provided fireworks with a brisk 61 off 60 deliveries. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jahmar Hamilton also chipped in with a quickfire 46 off 39 balls.

Despite a tough outing, left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop stood out for the Academy, claiming 3-89 from 21 overs to finish with impressive match figures of 10-174. Mavendra Dindyal and Rivaldo Clarke each grabbed two wickets.

Chasing an improbable total, the Academy team crumbled under the spin duo of Hayden Walsh Jr and captain Rakheem Cornwall, folding for just 100 in 34.5 overs. Walsh Jr was the chief destroyer, taking 5-24 in 6.5 overs, while Cornwall provided ample support with 4-41 from 13 overs.

Only three Academy batsmen, Justin Jagessar (26), captain Teddy Bishop (23), and Joshua Bishop (21 not out), managed to reach double figures as the Hurricanes’ relentless spin attack sealed a comprehensive win.

At Arnos Vale: The Jamaica Scorpions stand on the verge of a dominant victory against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, needing just nine wickets on today’s final day at Arnos Vale to seal the win.

After another impressive performance yesterday, the Scorpions, under the leadership of Jermaine Blackwood, set the Volcanoes a daunting target of 420 runs. By stumps, the hosts had reached 65-1, still requiring an improbable 355 runs for victory. Stephan Pascal (24) and Keron Cottoy (8) remain at the crease.

Resuming their second innings at 72-1 with a commanding 214-run lead, the Scorpions aimed to bat the Volcanoes out of the contest. Kirk McKenzie made 46, adding only 10 more runs before falling to Kenneth Dember, Blackwood once again anchored the innings with a composed knock of 75.

First-innings centurian Blackwood shared in a crucial 99-run fifth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Daniel Beckford, who remained unbeaten on an even 50.

Odean Smith chipped in with 35 against Kenneth Dember who was the standout bowler for the hosts, finishing with figures of 5-95, while Shadrack Descarte supported with 2-36.