In-form Ramdin (56) puts Bajans under pressure

SHERDON PIERRE

Red Force captain followed up his first innings century with an unbeaten 50 yesterday against Barbados Pride as their Cricket West Indies (CWI) regional four-day match headed to a draw on day four yesterday at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Ramdin’s 56 not out pushed the Red Force to 257 for five before he declared prior to tea, setting their hosts 248 runs to win with a session remaining. Barbados were 15 for three up to press time yesterday.

Red Force, resuming on their overnight score of 31 without loss with Amir Jangoo (19) and Jeremy Solozano (10) at the crease, saw the opening pair continue their good partnership.

The young left-handers batted positively with Jangoo being the aggressor. Unfortunately, one run short of a century partnership, Solozano was caught behind by Mario Rampersaud off Kevin Stoute for 34 runs. The next over, Kenroy Williams had Jangoo caught by Rampersaud for 63 as TT slipped to 99/2.

The pair of Ewart Nicholson and Isiah Rajah guided the Red Force to 134/2 at the end of the first session. However, West Indies off-spinner Ashley Nurse bowled Rajah for 25 runs, and two balls later, he had Tion Webster edging to Jomel Warrican at leg slip for a duck, the score now 156/4.

The wicket allowed the pair of Denesh Ramdin and Nicholson to bat together once again after they shared the highest first innings partnership. Their partnership yielded 50 runs and so did Nicholson who achieved his second fifty of the match, but attempting to accelerate the score, he was caught by substitute fielder Hayden Walsh off the bowling of Warrican for 55 runs.

His vital innings contained five fours and two sixes.

Following his first innings score of 101 runs, skipper Ramdin motored on to pass fifty runs when he cut Warrican for four runs which also brought up his team’s 250th. Seven runs later, Red Force declared with Roshon Primus unbeaten on 13.