The Windward Islands Volcanoes claimed an unforgettable one-wicket victory against the Guyana Harpy Eagles in their 2024 CG United Super50 Cup opener at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
Batting first, the Harpy Eagles posted a challenging total of 274-5 from their 50 overs.
Captain Tevin Imlach contributed with 65 off 67 balls, belting five boundaries and a six.
He was supported by Keemo Paul finishing unbeaten on 54 from just 25 balls with one four and six sixes.
Contributions from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kevlon Anderson, who chipped in with 49 and 42 respectively proved significant.
Shadrack Descarte was the pick of the Volcanoes’ bowlers, finishing with figures of 2-53 from eight overs.
In response, the Volcanoes’ started rocky, slumping to 58-5 just before the 12th over. However, a critical 81-run, sixth-wicket partnership between Descarte and wicketkeeper Dillon Douglas sparked hopes of a comeback.
Descarte scored a brisk 60 off 62 deliveries, which included seven fours and a six, before falling in the 26th over.
Douglas produced a top score of 90 off 100 balls, including eight boundaries and two sixes, which kept the Volcanoes in the hunt but he departed in the 43rd over with the score at 223.
Making sure his efforts were not in vain,teammate Darel Cyrus contributed a valuable 29 runs before he fell with just over four overs remaining and 30 runs still required.
The final pair of Kenneth Dember and Gilon Tyson then guided the team home with three balls to spare.
Dember contributed 20 off 18 balls while Tyson supported with 17 off 13 balls.
Nial Smith led the Harpy Eagles’ bowling with 3-46 from 9.4 overs, while Kevin Sinclair claimed 2-66 from his ten overs.