A half century from West Indies test player, Vishaul Singh was the backbone of Guyana’s innings on the opening day of their clash yesterday against Windward Islands Volcanoes who are trailing by 192 runs at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia.
Volcanoes won the toss and sent the four-time defending champions in to bat. They made 224 in their first innings as they were bowled out in 69.1 overs. Volcanoes closed on 32-2 facing 18 overs.
Guyana were rocked early on as Tagenarine Chanderpaul was bowled. Leon Johnson (15) was run out attempting to push for a second and sent back by Trevon Griffith. Griffith along with Christopher Barnwell also departed cheaply, adding just 18 runs each.
However, Singh and Romario Shepherd partnered to share in a 96-run stand for the eighth wicket. Singh faced 155 balls for his 75, hitting six boundaries along the way but became Shane Shillingford’s second victim.
Shepherd was run out by Dennis Smith for 45, soaking up 85 deliveries with three fours and a lone six. Veerasammy Permaul also showed his aggression with a useful unbeaten cameo of 22 as Shillingford wrapped up the tail quickly into the night to end with 4-59 while Delron Johnson returned 2-34.
When the Volcanoes batted, Clinton Pestano bowled Tyron Theophile for 18 and trapped skipper, Kirk Edwards leg before wicket for just seven. Taryck Gabriel and Kavem Hodge are the two batsmen at the crease currently on three and yet to score respectively.
