History beckons as Harpy Eagles, Red Force clash for Regional Four-Day supremacy

The script could not have been written any better for the finale of the 2026 West Indies Four-Day Championship.

On one side stands a modern dynasty as the Guyana Harpy Eagles are one victory away from a remarkable fourth consecutive first-class title, a feat that would solidify their absolute stranglehold on the regional red-ball game.

It would also mean a ninth title in the last 11 seasons of the Regional Four-Day Championship. Barbados is next best with two titles during this Professional Cricket League era.

On the other side stands a proud cricketing nation desperate to exorcise a two-decade-old ghost.

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, historically a powerhouse but starved of first-class glory since 2006, arrive at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium with a golden opportunity to end their 20-year title drought.

Guyana enter the final on the back of irresistible momentum. They have put together a string of clinical performances, including three consecutive victories over the Windward Islands Volcanoes and an innings-and-21-run demolition of the West Indies Academy.

Their squad depth is so enviable that they can afford to reintroduce human highlight reel Shamar Joseph into the bowling unit, replacing Thaddeus Lovell.

The Red Force, meanwhile, has shown the kind of grit and star power required to disrupt an empire. While they accept the tag of underdogs, Joshua Da Silva’s men possess a balanced, international-grade bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets in any conditions.

In the Spotlight

For Guyana, the spotlight naturally falls on the young opening pair of Matthew Nandu and Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

Nandu, the former West Indies Under-19 representative, is coming off a magnificent maiden double-century against the Academy, taking his tournament tally to 353 runs.

Chanderpaul, the immovable object at the top, has accumulated 367 runs, including a match-winning century against the Volcanoes.

If this duo blunts the new ball, they effectively bat opposition teams out of the contest, setting a platform for debutant centurion Jonathan Van Lange and the middle order.

Trinidad & Tobago will look squarely at their skipper, Joshua Da Silva. The West Indies Test wicketkeeper has been the premier batsman of the tournament, amassing 402 runs in just five innings at a staggering average of 80.40.

Da Silva’s ability to anchor the innings, bat with the tail, and counter-attack when necessary has been the spine of the Red Force batting line-up.

If he falls cheaply, the pressure on Amir Jangoo and Cephas Cooper multiplies exponentially.

Teams News and Pitch Conditions

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua usually offers a fair contest between bat and ball, with some early assistance for the quicks before settling into a good batting track that brings spinners into play on Days three and four.

Rain has been hovering around St John’s in the build-up, which might spice up the pitch early on and make the toss crucial.

Guyana’s bowling attack is formidable, reinforced by Shamar Joseph’s return to complement the veteran spin twin tandem of Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul, who have combined for 39 wickets this season.

Permaul enters the contest fresh off capturing his 600th first-class wicket.

The Red Force boasts an equally menacing bowling unit. Anderson Phillip is currently the tournament’s leading fast bowler with 21 scalps, while Jayden Seales has been lethal, picking up 16 wickets in a mere three matches. Expect an unchanged, pace-heavy XI from Trinidad & Tobago.

Guyana Harpy Eagles Squad: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Matthew Nandu (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach (captain/wicketkeeper), Kemol Savory, Keemo Paul, Richie Looknauth, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Shamar Joseph, Nial Smith, Jonathan Van Lange, Zeynul Ramsammy.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Squad: Cephas Cooper, Evin Lewis, Jyd Goolie, Jason Mohammed, Amir Jangoo, Joshua DaSilva, Terrance Hinds, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Bryan Charles, Jayden Seales, Yannic Cariah, Joshua James

 

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