Red Force scores historic West Indies championship title
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force captured their first West Indies Championship title since 2006 after crushing Guyana Harpy Eagles by 141 runs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on May 20.
Chasing 281 for victory and a fourth consecutive title, Guyana collapsed for 139 in just 35 overs as T&T’s pace attack dominated.
Fast bowlers Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, Terrance Hinds, and Joshua James ripped through the batting lineup to secure the historic victory.
Earlier, both teams believed they still had a chance to win after Guyana quickly wrapped up T&T’s second innings.
Resuming on 265 for eight, Evin Lewis was dismissed for 122 without adding to his overnight score, while Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul claimed the final wickets.
However, T&T’s bowlers then produced a brilliant display to end Guyana’s hopes and deliver the championship title.
The defending champions made a disastrous start to their chase as Jayden Seales dismissed Matthew Nandu for a duck and Anderson Phillip removed Tagenarine Chanderpaul early, leaving them 9 for 2 within in the first four overs.
The innings never recovered as T&T’s pace attack continued to dominate. Captain Tevin Imlach scored 16 before falling to Seales, while Phillip also dismissed Kemol Savory to leave Guyana struggling at 61 for 4.
James added to the collapse by removing Jonathan van Lange and Keemo Paul, reducing the Harpy Eagles to 99 for 6.
Kevlon Anderson and Gudakesh Motie then shared the team’s best partnership of 29 runs for the seventh wicket.
But once Jayden Seales ended Kevlon Anderson’s resistance after he top-scored with 41, Terrance Hinds cleaned up the lower order, dismissing Gudakesh Motie for 18, had Shamar Joseph caught behind for five, and bowled Nial Smith to seal victory for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.
Hinds finished with the best bowling figures of 3-20, while Seales took 3-39. Joshua James claimed 2-12 and Anderson Phillip took 2-63 as T&T celebrated their championship triumph.
