West Indies Test players Devon Thomas and Veerasammy Permaul ensured Team Weekes had a slim lead in their first innings of the final match of the Headley-Weekes Tri-Series.

Team Headley had posted 177 in their first innings on day one, while Team Weekes made 235 all out in 80.3 overs on day two. Thomas scored an important 57 from 150 balls, which had seven fours and one six, while Permaul scored an unbeaten 35. Permaul and Thomas added 80 runs for the tenth wicket.

Team Weekes resumed the second day on 61-3. Captain Alick Athanaze had a start, but fell for 37 from 51 balls. Guyanese Kevin Sinclair, batting at number seven, made only 12 as Team Weekes were tottering at 155-7 at one stage. Thomas and Permaul rebuilt the innings and ensured Team Weekes surpassed 200.

Left-arm spinner Kaveem Hodge had 3-46, while Anderson Phillip had 2-44 in 13 overs and Chaim Holder had 2-30 in 14 overs. In reply, Team Headley reached 67-2 after 31 overs. Kieran Powell was the first to be dismissed – for nine, by Dominic Drakes; and Kaveem Hodge made 26. He was removed by Sinclair, caught and bowled. Guyanese Matthew Nandu is unbeaten at the crease on 28, while Sunil Ambris is on one.

On day one, Permaul snared his 600th First Class wicket. At stumps, Permaul said: “You’re always happy to achieve milestones, and this is one I will celebrate and cherish…but like I said, this is like a normal game for me. It’s just another game. I want to put the team in position to win…and we did that earlier by bowling them out for under 200.”

Day three will resume at 10:00h Eastern Caribbean Time at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.