The second four-day practice match of the Guyana Harpy Eagles got underway yesterday with Matthew Nandu underscoring his push for a maiden call up to the national side with another half century while Gudakesh Motie got into the groove for his Test recall.
At the National Stadium, Providence, Tevin Imlach’s XI won the toss and decided to take first strike but were bundled out for 226 in 75.4 overs while Gudakesh Motie’s XI closed on 46 for two after 12 overs.
Nandu laid the foundation for Imlach’s XI with 50 from 114 balls. This was his second half-century, having scored 78 in the first practice match, hitting six boundaries.
The opener added 72 for the first wicket with his Everest Cricket Club and Guyana Amazon Warriors teammate, Chandrapaul Hemraj who fell four runs short of his half-century, falling to Nial Smith. Hemraj’s 36-ball innings featured two sixes and seven fours.
Shamar Yearwood had the next best score of 37 from 58 balls, highlighted by five fours and one six before he was caught and bowled by Motie. Cameos also came from Leon Johnson (25 from 75 balls) and Akshaya Persaud (22 from 51 balls).
Motie ended with 3-8 from 8.4 overs while off-spinners, Richie Looknauth and Junior Sinclair took two wickets each for 29 and 33 runs respectively.
When Motie’s XI took to the field, seamer, Shamar Joseph, also made a push for selection in the upcoming Regional Four-Day tournament by removing Rampertab Ramnauth for 24 and nightwatchman, Ronsford Beaton for four.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who was recently named in the West Indies Test squad for Zimbabwe is on 12 not out from 26 balls and is accompanied at the crease by Mavindra Dindyal who is on six not out from nine balls. Both batsmen have struck one boundary each.
The action resumes today from 09.30 hours.
