Red Force win; Harpy Eagles, Scorpions in no-result

ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad (CMC):

Defending champions and tournament hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force soared to the top of the CG United Super50 Cup standings following a resounding nine-wicket victory over the West Indies Academy at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine, Trinidad here Thursday.

After winning the toss, the Red Force asked the young academy team to take the first strike and that decision was quickly justified as they bundled out the Academy side for a modest 135 in just 34.2 overs.

Yannic Cariah led the charge with an impressive 4-37 from 8.2 overs. He was ably supported by fellow spinners Khary Pierre, who took 3-14 in eight overs, and Bryan Charles, who picked up 2-23 from seven overs.

For the academy, Joshua Bishop and Rivaldo Clarke offered brief resistance, scoring 31 and 30, respectively, but were unable to build any substantial partnerships.

In reply, the Red Force’s batting line-up comfortably chased down the target in just 26.1 overs for the loss of one wicket.

Amir Jangoo continued his excellent form, topscoring with an unbeaten 70 off 78 balls, following his recent 96 against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Kjorn Ottley provided solid support with 42 not out.

This win marks Red Force’s third victory in four matches, solidifying their position at the top of the table.

Elsewhere, for the second time this season, the Guyana Harpy Eagles were denied a likely victory in the Super50 Cup because of persistent rain, this time at Queen’s Park Oval against the Jamaica Scorpions.

The Harpy Eagles were on top of the Jamaican franchise who were teetering at 162-6 after 41.3 overs when rain forced an early end to the match, leaving both teams with a no-result.

Captain John Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood provided the only resistance in an otherwise subdued Scorpions innings.

Campbell scored a brisk 53 off 65 balls, featuring three boundaries and two sixes, while Blackwood remained unbeaten on 63 from 91 balls, hitting six fours in a steady knock that aimed to steady the ship for the Scorpions.

However, the disciplined bowling from the Harpy Eagles, led by Ashmead Nedd’s impressive figures of 2-23 from 10 overs, kept the Scorpions in check and seemed to set the stage for a Harpy Eagles triumph, only for the weather to intervene.