FOUR-DAY: Lewis (122*) pushes Red Force ahead in title race

A masterclass in atypical restraint from Evin Lewis has put Trinidad and Tobago Red Force within touching distance of their first regional first-class title in two decades.

Known worldwide for his white-ball pyrotechnics, Lewis ground out a career-best, unbeaten 122 from 246 balls to anchor his side’s second innings and push the lead to a formidable 278 runs by stumps on day three of the West Indies Four-Day Championship final against the Guyana Harpy Eagles.

On a Sir Vivian Richards Stadium surface that continues to keep both seamers and spinners interested, Red Force finished the day at 265 for 8.

FULL SCORCARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/3b0b1451-f844-4668-bd79-a0082e6e297f/scorecard/1

The mathematics heavily favour Trinidad and Tobago: a draw is enough to wrest the crown from defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles and end a title drought stretching back to 2006.

The narrative of the third day was entirely defined by Lewis’ pacing. Batting against his usual instincts, the left-hander bided his time, countering a disciplined but curiously deployed Guyana bowling attack.

In a tactical move that raised eyebrows, the Harpy Eagles chose to lean heavily on their pace battery as veteran left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul looked menacing but was restricted to just 8.5 overs, though he still managed to cause a late-order flutter with figures of 3 for 13. His spin partner, Gudakesh Motie, bowled only 13 overs.

Instead, the workload fell on Keemo Paul. Operating as the undisputed workhorse of the innings, Paul sent down 25 tireless overs to return figures of 3 for 47, keeping the Harpy Eagles alive when Lewis threatened to completely take the game away.

Shamar Joseph, sharing the new ball, chipped in with 2 for 86 from his 21 overs but found regular breakthroughs difficult to come by as Lewis anchored crucial partnerships with Amir Jangoo (48) and Jason Mohammed (37).

As the final day approaches, Guyana will look back at the opening day of the match as a massive missed opportunity.

They had Red Force reeling at 86 for 6, and later 162 for 9, on a seamer-friendly deck, only to allow Jayden Seales (70*) and the tail to wag furiously and push the total to 260.

That 13-run first-innings deficit has now ballooned into a mountain to climb.

Speaking after the day’s play, a defiant Keemo Paul insisted the Harpy Eagles are not throwing in the towel just yet.

“We have to try and bowl them out as quickly as possible tomorrow morning,” Paul said. “Whatever the target is, we will certainly go for it. It’s not perfect batting conditions out there, but it’s a final and we have to give it everything.”

 

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