… Volcanoes’ last pair produces a record 124-run partnership

WINDWARD Islands Volcanoes are in a commanding position after day two of their Four-Day match against Guyana Harpy Eagles at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.

Scores Volcanoes 339 all out from 106.2 overs (Preston McSween 86, Alick Athanaze 68, Devon Smith 52; Gudakesh Motie 4-62, Keemo Paul 3-83, Veerasammy Permaul 3-88) v Eagles 181-5 (Vishaul Singh 40*, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 30, Leon Johnson 28, Anthony Bramble 26; Shermon Lewis 3-47, McSween 2-44)
Eagles reached stumps 181-5 compliments of an unbroken 40-run stand between Keemo Paul (20*) and Vishaul Singh (40*) but still trail by 158 runs.

Singh has faced 93 balls and struck four fours in his resolute knock while Paul has been more enterprising in his 26 balls, hitting two fours and one six.

Resuming at 277-9, McSween on 47 and Lewis resolute on 12, both players known more for their exploits with the ball, took Volcanoes out of a position of bother when the ninth wicket fell at 215 in the 73rd over.

McSween smashed nine fours and two maximums in his 86 – his maiden first-class half-century – while Lewis made 36 from 111 balls.

It took a pearl from Gudakesh Motie to nip the outside edge of McSween and end the Volcanoes’ innings at 339 from 106.2 overs.

Motie ended with 4-62 from 26.2 overs while Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul had a wicket each.

Buoyed by the superb stand, McSween, now with the ball, created more headache for Eagles when his first delivery to Chandrapaul Hemraj (5) had him caught at second slip.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer brought some calm to the proceedings with a 48-run stand for the second wicket.

Both looked set for a significant score until Hetmyer was undone by a brilliant catch at mid-wicket by Ryan John for 24 (3×4) from 37 balls.

Five runs later, Chanderpaul drove at a wide delivery and edged to second slip for 30 (6×4) from 58 balls.

The experienced pair of Leon Johnson and Vishaul Singh took the score from 63-3 to 95-4 compliments of smart and compact batting which took Eagles to tea at 77-3.

In the post-tea session, Johnson played across the line and it was McSween again, as he bowled the Eagles captain for 28 (5×4) from 37 balls.

Anthony Bramble and Singh looked to steady the ship and Bramble, in particular, was aggressive but he lived a chanced life on his way to 26 (3×4; 1×6) from 38 balls until he was struck in front by Lewis.

At 141-5, it brought together Paul and Singh who took the Eagles to safety.

The action continues today from 10:00hts.