Underneath the watchful skies of Port of Spain, the Guyana Harpy Eagles etched their names into West Indies cricket historical past as soon as extra.
On the ultimate day of the seventh-round conflict at Queen’s Park Oval, the defending champions secured a dramatic draw towards Trinidad and Tobago Crimson Drive — a outcome that sealed their triumphant protection of the West Indies Championship title.
A battle of wills
The Harpy Eagles entered Saturday with the championship almost inside their grasp, holding a commanding lead within the standings. However standing of their approach had been the second-placed Crimson Drive, clinging to a thread of hope and in determined want of a miraculous flip.
Resuming their second innings at 101 for 2 — nonetheless trailing by 122 runs — the Crimson Drive discovered resilience of their seasoned campaigners. Veteran batsman Jason Mohammed turned again the clock with a scintillating 125 off 186 balls, his seventeenth first-class century, mixing defiance with finesse. Supporting him on the different finish was the spirited captain Joshua Da Silva, who powered his technique to a vibrant 77 from simply 79 deliveries.
Collectively, their partnership breathed life into the innings, lifting the Crimson Drive to 370 for 9 earlier than the declaration.
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Harpy Eagles’ bowlers apply the strain
Regardless of the defiant batting effort, the Harpy Eagles’ spinners maintained a stranglehold. Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd was relentless, choosing up 4 for 105, whereas the ever-reliable Veerasammy Permaul chipped in with 3 for 138. Their management and consistency ensured that the Crimson Drive couldn’t surge far sufficient forward to pose a real risk.
Needing simply 147 to win, the Harpy Eagles had been in no rush. Opener Raymond Perez calmly anchored the response with a composed 26 not out, because the scoreboard ticked to 33 with out loss. At that time, with no lifelike path to victory for both aspect, captains shook palms and the match concluded in a draw.
A season of dominance
The outcome elevated the Guyana Harpy Eagles to an unassailable 126.6 factors — a testomony to their consistency, having secured victories in 4 of their seven matches. Whatever the pending outcome between the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Barbados Pleasure, no workforce may problem their summit.
With this consequence, Guyana proudly celebrates back-to-back titles, their championship mettle as soon as once more on full show.
