Red Force batsmen feast on Volcanoes' bowling attack

The decision by the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force selectors to make changes to the batting line-up proved beneficial, as the Red Force were in a commanding position at the close of day one against the Windward Islands Volcanoes yesterday.

The Red Force closed on 334 for three at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair with Denesh Ramdin, Jason Mohammed and Kyle Hope all making major contributions on the opening day of round three in the Digicel Regional Four-Day tournament.

Denesh Ramdin, who has played the entire season for the Red Force, scored his second century of the season finishing on an unbeaten 104. Ramdin’s knock yesterday lasted 150 balls and comprised nine fours.

Mohammed, who recovered from a thigh injury in time got his century in the last over of the day to close on 100 not out. Mohammed faced 171 deliveries which included eight fours and one six.

Hope, also playing in his first match this season after representing West Indies in Zimbabwe cracked 68. Mohammed and Hope replaced Ewart Nicholson and Jeremy Solozano at the top of the order, two batsmen who have contributed with the bat this season.

Cariah, who scored a century in the last match against the Jamaica Scorpions, also played a solid innings but was out one short of a half century. Fast bowler Sherman Lewis was the top bowler for the Volcanoes taking 2/42 in 15 overs.

After opener Amir Jangoo was dismissed for three, Hope and Cariah combined to put on 97 runs for the second wicket.

Hope who struggled for the West Indies on the regional team’s tours of England and Zimbabwe, dominated with some fluent batting in the first session. The Red Force progressed to 81 for one at lunch with Hope on 59 off 88 deliveries, while Cariah was watchful scoring 17 off 61 balls.

Hope continued with his solid stroke play after lunch, while a sweep shot by Cariah brought up the 100 for the Red Force.

After the hosts got to 100 Hope was caught and bowled by Lewis for 68 trying to pull a short delivery.

The ball skied into the air and Lewis took a comfortable catch.

Hope’s knock came off 108 deliveries and included eight fours and one six.

Cariah’s confidence grew as he played a slog sweep for six off spinner Liam Sebastien to get into the 40s.

After hitting a four to long off, the next ball Cariah was brilliantly caught at short midwicket by Taryck Gabriel who took a one-handed diving catch as the Red Force were reduced to 140/3.

There were no more wickets for the Volcanoes as Ramdin and Mohammed’s unbroken 196-run partnership guided theRed Force to the close. Ramdin started off the aggressor dominating the partnership in the second session.

In the final session Ramdin and Mohammed matched each other stroke for stroke with Ramdin getting his century minutes before Mohammed. It was Ramdin’s 14th first class hundred, while Mohammed was celebrating his sixth at this level. Play resumes today from 10 am.