FOUR-DAY: Red Force dismiss Harpy Eagles for 245 to take 15-run lead

A tantalisingly poised second-innings shootout will decide the 2026 West Indies Four-Day Championship title after Trinidad and Tobago Red Force secured a razor-thin 15-run first-innings lead over the Guyana Harpy Eagles on a gripping second day at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The defending champions, chasing a fourth consecutive crown, now face a familiar test of their come-from-behind resolve after being bowled out for 245 in response to Red Force’s 260.

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

While the surface showed some signs of settling as compared to day one,  it continued to offer plenty of encouragement for the seamers.

The bedrock of Red Force’s competitive total was an extraordinary, rearguard 98-run last-wicket stand between Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales.

Coming together with their side in dire straits at 162-9 on the opening day—having collapsed from an initial wobble of 86 for 4 against a rampant Guyanese pace attack—the tailenders defied logic and the opposition.

Red Force resumed the second morning at 240 for 9, eventually adding 20 crucial runs to finish on 260.

Seales remained unbeaten on a career-best 70, a stellar hand supplemented by Khary Pierre’s earlier 40, while Keemo Paul (3-28) and Nial Smith (3-51) spearheaded the Eagles’ initial surge.

Guyana’s reply began with a stark reminder of cricket’s fickle nature. Opener Matthew Nandu, fresh off a monumental 237 in his previous outing, was dismissed for a duck, undone by a magnificent delivery from a fired-up Seales.

Tevin Imlach’s promotion to number three yielded a gritty but ultimately fruitless 17 off 65 deliveries, while the in-form Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell for 33. Seales meticulously set up Chanderpaul, softening him up with an inswinger before finding the edge with one that held its line.

Reduced to a precarious 93 for 5, the Harpy Eagles found saviours in Keemo Paul and debutant Jonathan Van Lange.

The pair stitched together a workman-like 82-run partnership, briefly swinging the pendulum and raising thoughts of a Guyanese lead.

However, Red Force’s relentless seam quartet refused to relent.

The turning point arrived when Joshua James returned to the attack and breached Paul’s defense, bowling him for a well-played 51 off 100 balls.

Van Lange, despite living a somewhat charmed life, contributed a valuable 46, and Gudakesh Motie chipped in with a brisk 33.

Yet, it wasn’t enough to eclipse the target.

Seales capped off a magnificent all-round day with figures of 4 for 55, while Terrance Hinds (3-46) and Phillip (2-90) ensured the final wickets tumbled swiftly, leaving the grand finale tantalisingly within reach for both sides.

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