Youngster Mathew Nandu got off to a dream start yesterday by scoring an unbeaten half-century for Guyana Harpy Eagles in the regional four-day match against Barbados Pride at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua to finish on 205-5 on day one.
Nandu made a strong start to his first-class career with an unbeaten 71, while Kevin Sinclair is at the other end with an unbeaten 28. The 19-year-old has been a pillar of stability and was the main reason Guyana’s Harpy Eagles reached 205-5 in 76.4 overs at the time of play.
Despite being given some chances, throughout the day the youngster showed the character needed to succeed at this level. He eased his way to 50 off 124 balls with 7 fours to reach the cut-off. The left-hander, who finished the day with 71* off 222 balls with nine fours, will focus on a ton on Friday.
Also, if he reaches this milestone, he will become the first Guyanese player since fellow opener Sudesh Dhaniram to score a first-class century on debut. Dhaniram did so in 1987 against Barbados in the Shell Shield match at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground in Borda.
However, Nandu’s effort was overshadowed as the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) found itself in another fiasco, this time over the issue of caps for the players.
Winning the toss and opting to take first strike, the Eagles toiled for 76.4 overs despite play being halted after a short-pitched delivery from a good length went several feet into the air and was called a wide, triggering remedial work by the curators in an effort to get the pitch into normal playing order.
As in the practice matches, the Harpy Eagles batsmen did not get off to a good start. Captain Leon Johnson (26), debutant Kemol Savory (25), and Anthony Bramble (20) got the start, while Chandrapaul Hemraj (11) and Tevin Imlach were dismissed without a run.
Off-spinner Chaim Holder has taken 2-36 in 25 overs while Akeem Jordan has taken 2-34 in 16 overs.
Summary scores of the other two matches: At Coolidge Cricket ground: Leeward Hurricanes v Jamaica Scorpions
Leeward Hurricanes 163-6 from 90 overs (Jahmar Hamilton 40, Montcin Hodge 37, Rahkeem Cornwall 29*, Jeremiah Louis 17*; Abhijai Mansingh 2-27, Marquino Mindley 1-11, Jamie Merchant 1-23)
At Grenada National Stadium: Windward Volcanoes v Trinidad and Tobago Red Force
Windward Volcanoes 243 all out from 63.1 overs (Tevyn Walcott 87*, Sunil Ambris 55, Alick Athanaze 41, Ryan John 36; Bryan Charles 4-46, Terrance Hinds 4-72) & 60-0 from 16 overs (Kimani Melius 39*, Jerlani Robinson 19*)
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 315 all out from 92.1 overs (Amir Jangoo 86, Tion Webster 79, Hinds 52, Darren Bravo 38, Jeremy Solozano 34; Ryan John 5-18, Darius Martin 2-80) by 12 runs