In-form Leewards batters mount further pressure on Eagles heading into Day 3
… Thomas joins Hodge, Powell as 3rd half-centurion

By Clifton Ross

IT was another dominant day for the Leeward Hurricanes, who stretched their lead to a staggering 250, thanks mainly to knocks from their batters who kept the Guyana Harpy Eagles under immense pressure, heading into the 3rd day of action at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The Hurricanes storm continued to brew as they took their total to a mammoth 366-5. Terrance Ward was unbeaten on 46 with 5 fours and will be eyeing his team’s 4th half-century score come today when he resumes with Rakeem Cornwall (13*).

Guyana Harpy Eagles yet again toiled and toiled to little avail, as left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (2-93) and speedster Nial Smith (2-89), had another tough outing with the ball.

It was the record 152-run opening partnership between Montcin Hodge (71) and Kieran Powell (74), complemented by two 85-run partnerships – one featuring Devon Thomas who smashed a blistering 72 off 73 balls with 10 fours and a six and the other, between Jahmar Hamilton, who laboured for his 48 with 2 fours and a six, along with Ward, further helping to punish a lacklustre Harpy Eagles’ bowling attack.

Hodge and Powell resumed their innings both already with 50-odd each under their belts and the Hurricanes 126-0, replying to Guyana’s 1st innings 116 all out; following day one’s crusade which saw them knock off Guyana’s total before piling on a lead of their own.

Continuing their show from Day 1, the openers continued to play shots and frustrate the Guyana bowlers, as they eventually lengthened their century stand to 150.

Eventually however, the pacer Smith, after toiling like many of his teammates, got the breakthrough when he disturbed the stumps of Powell, ending the partnership which began during the afternoon session on Monday.

Thomas then joined Hodge to quickly take control of the Hurricanes innings before further inroads could be made. After taking their score to 216-1 with a strong 100-run lead at lunch, both Thomas and Hodge remained calm ahead of the interval.

When play resumed, the two looked refreshed in their approach, shrugging off Powell’s earlier dismissal to further pile on the pressure, as they added 85 runs for the second-wicket partnership.

Thomas, a former Windies player known for his aggressive approach, was in his zone as he seemed well on his way to scoring what looked like a run-a-ball century.

However, his time at the crease came to an end when he was expertly caught by Motie off the bowling of pacer Clinton Pestano (1-69).
A score of 237-2 quickly turned into 245-3 just a few overs after, when Hodge failed to maintain the sublime concentration he displayed for almost an entire day and had his bat edge broken and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, thanks to some magic from Motie.

The left-arm spinner struck again this time knocking over Kofi James who hung around shortly for his score of 11, slightly pulling the momentum back in the favour of the Eagles.

But the new duo of Ward and Hamilton provided some extra scoring points for the Hurricanes, given that both right-handers settled in nicely to manufacture yet another half-century partnership.

The afternoon’s final session witnessed the Harpy Eagles snatching a bit of momentum from their opponents when Smith struck for the second time, removing Hamilton who was pinned lbw, two runs shy of his fifty.

Ward and Cornwall did their best to remain fixed on returning for the 3rd day and so they did as their franchise looked ominous heading into today’s play.

Other Day 2 scores:
Jamaica Scorpions vs Barbados Pride
Jamaica Scorpions (1st innings 328 all out), Barbados Pride (1st innings 243-2), Kraigg Braithwaite 123*, Raymon Reifer 55*

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs Windward Volcanoes
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (1st innings 326 all out), Windward Volcanoes (1st innings (98 all out, Alick Athanaze 33) Anderson Phillips 4-32, Jayden Seales 3-31

Windward Volcanoes 2nd innings (32-3, Devon Smith 12)