Fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Keon Harding hauled Barbados Pride back into their first-round contest against Guyana Harpy Eagles, to set up an interesting final day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Trailing by 151 after they were dismissed for 220 in their first innings on Friday’s third day, Pride then rocked Harpy Eagles courtesy of Jordan (3-18) and Harding (3-27), sending the innings crashing to 91 for eight at the close – a lead of 242 runs.
Lively seamer Jair McAllister got the initial breakthrough in the second over when he got Tevin Imlach to top-edge a pull before he had scored, for Jordan to snare the catch running around from leg gully.
And with just a single run added at four for two in the seventh over, Jordan hit Kemol Savory in front, also without scoring, as Harpy Eagles tottered.
First innings century-maker Matthew Nandu (16) and captain Leon Johnson (12) tried to repair the damage in a 38-run, third wicket stand but once Harding got the left-handed Johnson to sky a short one to mid-wicket, Harpy Eagles lost six wickets for 48 runs.
Earlier, Pride lost seven wickets for 115 runs in a disappointing batting effort, after resuming the morning on 105 for three.
Test batsman Shamarh Brooks struck 61, all-rounder Shamar Springer got 35 not out while nightwatchman Harding chipped in with 24.
Brooks, who faced 141 deliveries and counted five fours, stretched his overnight fourth wicket stand with Harding to 57 before the stand was broken, Harding bowled missing a heave at West Indies left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who finished with four for 53.
Brooks was eventually sixth out in the fourth over after lunch, gently driving Permaul to cover and it was left to Springer, who struck four fours off 69 balls, to rally the tail in a 30-run, eighth-wicket partnership with Chaim Holder (13).
At Coolidge Cricket Ground, West Indies player Rahkeem Cornwall produced a strong all-round performance to keep Leeward Islands Hurricanes with their noses in front against Jamaica Scorpions.
Cornwall claimed five for 54 as Scorpions, resuming on 186 for six in reply to Hurricanes’ 260, were dismissed for 234 in their first innings.
Abhijai Mansingh, unbeaten overnight on 34, made 56 off 176 deliveries with seven fours.
Armed with a lead of only 26 runs, Hurricanes needed Cornwall’s unbeaten 56 from 73 balls to end on 198 for seven – an overall lead of 224 runs heading into Saturday’s final day.
Montcin Hodge (31) and left-hander Kieran Powell (28) posted 55 for the first wicket before off-spinner Jamie Merchant (2-27) removed both.
West Indies batsman Keacy Carty (26) and Kofi James added 28 for the third but a slide saw three wickets go down for 25 runs, to give Scorpions the upper hand.
However, Cornwall put on 35 for the sixth wicket with Terrance Ward (4) and further 32 in an unbroken eighth wicket stand with Hayden Walsh (13 not out), to bolster Hurricanes late in the day.
-CMC
