GHE gain 2nd win with 143-run victory over Red Force

– Permaul again among the wickets despite Bravo’s 95
By Sean Devers in Trinidad
LEADERS Guyana Harpy Eagles took close to two sessions on the final day of their West Indies Championships First-Class cricket encounter at the Brian Lara Academy to formalise a crushing 143 runs victory over Trinidad & Tobago’s Red force yesterday despite a brief threat from Daren Bravo.

Bravo hit 11 fours from 170 balls and 249 minutes before he fell for 95 while Amir Jangoo hit five fours and a six in his unbeaten 50 from 128 balls and shared in a last wicket stand of 57 with Justin Manick (22) as the Red Force were bowled out for 268 close to end of the second session.

Veerasammy Permaul took 3-58 while Keemo Paul and Ronsford Beaton had two wickets each for the Guyana team which departs for Guyana this morning.
Scores: Guy 324 & 247-6 dec, T&T 160

Watched by the largest turnout of the match, including students ages 5-15 of the BC Lara cricket academy, held every Saturday for 12 weeks, the Red Force began the final day on 106-3 needing 412 to win.

The 34-year-old Daren Bravo, with centuries from 56 Tests, is in subline form and was unbeaten on 63 and Jud Goolie on 18.

Bravo flicked Nial Smith for four before a glorious cover drive reached the ropes like bullet from gun while Goolie, who looked accomplished on Friday afternoon, offered good support to his captain.

But with the score on 119, Goolie (18) attempted a shape single, was sent back by Bravo and was run out by a direct hit from the alert Matthew Nandu to end a promising 49-run stand.

With a very strong wind taking thick smoke from several bush fires across the ground, Bravo, arguably the best batter in the tournament, played some audacious shots and along with Tion Webster, was building a nice little partnership in sweltering heat.

The track was still a good one and the outfield lightning fast and Bravo, with centuries in his last two innings, was in fine touch.

However, Permaul, who, in the first innings, had become the bowler with the most regional first-class wickets, was introduced and Webster, well set on 16, inexplicably opted to play no shot to an arm ball and was bowled at 144-5.

Bravo, with a highest Test score of 218 and 14 centuries in first-class cricket, was in danger of running out of partners as he stroked a classy boundary to take him into the nineties.

But it was Bravo, five runs away from three consecutive tons to stake a stronger claim for selection against India in July, who was dismissed.

Out-foxed by the wily Permaul, Bravo launched into a big drive, was not to the pitch of the ball and hit a catch to Kevin Sinclair at cover to leave the Red Force on 165-6.

Permaul had Imran Khan caught behind for a duck without addition to the score and when Beaton beat Brian Charles (1) for pace and had him LBW at 174-8, the big question was could the Red Force survive to lunch?

They did and at lunch were on 175-8.
After lunch, Muhammad and Jangoo commenced a frustrating ninth-wicket stand. Muhammad slog-swept Permaul for six as the Guyanese began to lose intensity.
With the partnership worth 37, Muhammad (25) gloved a bouncer from Beaton into his shoulder and was taken by Paul at 211-9.

A ball from Beaton deviated in the air and struck ‘keeper’ Bramble just above his eye; cutting it.

With Bramble going for medical attention, Imlach took the gloves as Jangoo and Justin Manick scored freely as Guyana struggled to produce the knock-out blow with the last pair counter attacking the pacers with bold boundaries.

Jangoo soon reached 50 from 128 balls with five fours and six before Manick (22) was stumped by Imlach off Sinclair.

Scoreboard
T&T Red force 2nd inns O/N 106-3
Daren Bravo c Sinclair b Permaul 95
Jud Goolie run out 18
Tion Webster b Permaul 16
Amir Jangoo not out 50
Imran Khan c wkp Bramble b Permaul 0
Brian Charles lbw b Beaton 1
Uthman Muhammad c Paul b Beaton 25
Justin Manick Stp Imlach b Sinclair 22
Extras 20
Total 268 in 97.5 overs
F0W:2, 31, 70,119, 144, 165, 165,174, 211, 268
Bowling
Beaton 17-5-53-2, Smith 15-4-444-1, Paul 18-1-73-2,
Sinclair 15.5-3-31-1, Permaul 32-11-58-3