Guyana Harpy Eagles anticipate good challenge in Grenada

By Brandon Corlette in Grenada

The Guyana Harpy Eagles are fresh from a 183-run win against Barbados Pride in round one of the West Indies Championships.

Head Coach of the Guyana team, Ryan Hercules is expecting a good challenge against Windward Islands Volcanoes when the second match bowls off in Grenada from February 8.

However, he highlighted the poor shot selection of some senior players while praising young Matthew Nandu, who scored a century on his First-Class debut.

As it relates to the mood in the camp, Hercules said: "Well, it is a happy one (mood), winning the first game against Barbados. We know there is always a bit of rivalry against Guyana and Barbados. Everyone is happy with the performance, finishing just before the stroke of tea throughout the last day. Lots of effort from the fast bowlers, putting in a lot of work today, to see we get past that hurdle, so the environment is pretty good, very friendly, and a hardworking one."

Nandu, who batted for 337 balls in more than 500 minutes during his maiden First-Class century, at 19 years old, has impressed many, including Coach Hercules.

"Matthew Nandu has been brilliant throughout the training we had back home coming into the team. He possesses that talent to spend time out there, hungry to get runs, which is very good, filling that spot up there with the absence of a Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Vishaul Singh. We wanted someone to show that calibre of patience, and I think he did that really exceptional for the first game. I am thinking he has a long way to go, so I am looking forward to see him bat for the rest of games.

"The second innings we would have seen he got a bit bogged down, and lost his wicket, but it is a learning process for him. His Player of the Match innings would have set up the game for us to get a big score for us," Hercules added.

The likes of Leon Johnson, Anthony Bramble, Tevin Imlach, and Kemol Savory will have to step-up with the bat against Volcanoes. "We had some poor shot selection. Senior guys, we were expecting more from them. Imlach, Savory, Johnson, and Bramble. Some poor shot selections, but we have games like that. I hope we reflect. We would not let it go at the side, thinking we get the win and it is all fine. We need to get some work done there, when it comes to the senior guys getting some scores there. We don't look for one player to go out there and do well. We look at other guys to put their hands up. I want to see other players stepping up. and Gregory Richardson (29th) added one apiece for Sparta Boss’s five.

"I trust their talent, and the work we have been putting in. It is just for them to understand the situation and go out there and bat," the Essequibian Hercules explained.

Guyana are the only team to record a win, while the other matches resulted in drawn encounters. The Harpy Eagles have 20 points, while Trinidad and Tobago Red Force have 10.2 points. Windwards have 8.4 points, Leeward Islands (7.4), Jamaica Scorpions (6.2) and Barbados Pride(4.8).

Based on reports, and players’ insights, the surface in Grenada is a flat one, and should be good for batting. On Monday, some earlymorning showers passed over the island, and that will add some moisture to the surface.

Hercules noted that Guyana would assess conditions in Grenada, but anticipated a good challenge. "When we get there, we will assess conditions.

The “Legendary Cup” tournament will continue today, Tuesday, February 7, at the same venue.

Tournament coordinator Wayne “Harry” Griffith had sparkling words about the tournament’s opening night as he discussed the “Legendary Cup” thus far.

“The tournament has got off to an exciting start and is projected to improve with each playing night, as the teams vie for the coveted title. The opening night was incident-free and we hope to continue that trend of providing exciting action for the patrons. The teams have shown a willingness to compete and participate which is evident by the fact that several other teams have inquired about joining the event. Unfortunately, we can’t increase the pool of teams at this moment, but this certainly bodes well for the future of the competition,” Griffith shared.

On the cards tonight is the opening clash between Stabroek Ballers and West Side at 19:45h, while Future Stars tackle Mocha Family at 20:30h. The experienced Bent Street and Gold is Money will also be in action in separate games.

Gold is Money take aim at Albouystown at 21:15h, while Bent Street tackle Vryheid’s Lust later in the evening, at 23:30h.

The teams are vying for a $500,000 grand prize, while second, third and fourth place would pocket $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000. The other playing dates in the Rock Auto Trans and Spare Parts “Legendary Cup” are February 11, 14, and 18, with the grand final set for February 25.