Khan (7/47) dismantles Windwards

RED FORCE captain Imran Khan picked up right where he left off last season, with a seven-wicket haul against Windward Islands on day one of their Regional Four-Day match at the Brian Lara Academy, Tarouba, yesterday.

Despite a dismal 2017-2018 campaign, Khan was one of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament, and is again showing his class in the 2018-2019 edition. The leg-spinner turned the match on its head yesterday with a devastating performance that undermined the Windward Islands' excellent start.

The Volcanoes were heating up nicely at 142 for two when Khan struck with his first wicket. The 34 year old single-handedly crippled the Windwards who lost their last eight wickets for 64 runs to be all out for 206.

The Red Force, in reply, were looking solid at the close of play on 79 for one after 25 overs. Left-hander Jeremy Solozano, who showed tremendous form in preparation, was 46 not out at stumps with six fours to his name. He will resume batting alongside Amir Jangoo (19). Opener Kyle Hope (11) was the only wicket to fall for the hosts.

Earlier, Khan, who finished with remarkable figures of seven for 47 from 22.1 overs, was at his destructive best.

After the loss of openers Devon Smith (15) and Taryck Gabriel (3), captain Kirk Edwards and Kaveem Hodge sought to repair the innings with a 76-run partnership. Khan, however, got rid of Hodge for 37, looping a catch to Amir Jangoo as he played against the turn. New batsman Roland Cato (2) was next to go, and Edwards (55) soon followed, trapped LBW by the Trinidadian.

There was little resistance afterwards, with Dennis Smith (2) and Alick Athanaze (20) back in the pavilion courtesy Khan. Medium pacer Tion Webster interrupted the Khan show temporarily with the wicket of Shane Shillingford (25), but Khan quickly accounted for the rest. He bowled out Delorn Johnson (3) and wrapped up the innings with Sherman Lewis caught behind for six.

Regional Scores:

At 3W’s Oval: Scorpions trail Pride by 65 runs with 10 first innings wickets intact.

BARBADOS PRIDE 167 (Jonathan Carter 51, Aaron Jones 28, Jomel Warrican 26, Justin Greaves 25; Nikita Miller 4-53, Derval Green 3-10) vs JAMAICA SCORPIONS 102 without loss (John Campbell 67 not out).

At the Brian Lara Stadium (TAROUBA): Red Force trail Volcanoes by 127 runs with nine first innings wickets intact.

WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES 206 (Kirk Edwards 55, Kavem Hodge 37, Taryck Gabriel 30, Shane Shillingford 25; Imran Khan 7-47) vs TT RED FORCE 79 for one (Jeremy Solozano 46 not out).

At the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, (NORTH SOUND): Jaguars trail Hurricanes by 146 runs with eight first innings wickets intact.

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES 182 (Devon Thomas 58, Montcin Hodge 50, Keacy Carty 28; Romario Shepherd 4-36, Gudakesh Motie 3-23) vs GUYANA JAGUARS 36 for two.