[UPDATED] Coach David Furlonge: Red Force run chase needed positive intent

TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force coach David Furlonge is elated his players opened with a first round victory in the 2022 West Indies Four-Day Championship, but said his batsmen needed to have more positive intent in chasing a small total on the final day.

Red Force escaped with a three-wicket win over Jamaica Scorpions at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, on Saturday.

“Glad to win the game,” Furlonge said.

Chasing 81 for victory the Red Force batsmen turned the match into a thrilling contest losing wickets in quick succession.

Red Force were cruising on 34 without loss after starting the final day on 22 without loss.

However, Scorpions never gave up taking six wickets for 26 runs to leave the match interestingly poised with Red Force 60/6.

It then became 69/7, but Red Force captain Imran Khan and Anderson Phillip avoided any further drama guiding the home team to 81/7 to prevail by three wickets.

Despite the nervy run chase Furlonge commended the tail-enders for bringing home the match.

Furlonge said the batsmen could’ve approached the run chase differently.

“I think we could have been a little more positive. We started well…but then we lost a couple wickets and I think the batsmen went into their shell and they let the spinners get on top of us bowling five, six consecutive maidens.”

Furlonge knows there is inexperience in the Red Force batting, but is optimistic that the batsmen will produce more runs in the coming matches.

Opener Keagan Simmons struck 38 and Khan ended on 12 not out. They were the only two batsmen to reach double figures in the run chase.

Spinner Jamie Merchant caused the most damage for Scorpions taking 3/18 in 10.4 overs.

Fast bowler Marquino Mindley was unplayable only conceding three runs in eight overs while snatching two wickets and left-arm spinner Patrick Harty also kept Scorpions in the contest with 2/21 in nine overs.

Red Force off spinner Bryan Charles was given the man of the match award after ending the match with eight wickets. He was the chief destroyer in the first innings grabbing 6/48 to help dismiss Scorpions for 141.

After Red Force scored 273 in response, Charles added two more wickets to his tally by snatching 2/49 in the second innings to help bowl out Scorpions for 212.

“I felt pretty satisfied about the performance,” Charles said following the match.

“After all the hard work in training and everything like that is good to come and put up a performance in the first game and get man of the match and help the team win the game.”

Charles said the bowling variations he worked on during the covid19 pandemic would have assisted him in the opening round.

“Yes I think they helped especially in the first innings. The wicket did not have much spin on it, so I thought (I will) try different balls to get batsmen out.”

Discussing the quality of the wicket at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Charles said, “Earlier on in the game I think it was a bit two-paced, but I think it started to get better on the third day. Coming down to the end I think it was playing a lot better.”

Isaiah Rajah, who picked up a finger injury during the match, will be assessed before round two bowls off. The left-hander was still able to bat against Scorpions scoring 65 and eight.

Left-handed opener Jeremy Solozano who missed the opening match after getting a finger injury in training is available for the next match.

Red Force will play Windward Islands Volcanoes in round two from Tuesday at Brian Lara Cricket Academy at 10 am.

This story was originally published with the title "Trinidad and Tobago Red Force escape with victory over Scorpions" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RED Force escaped with a three-wicket win over Jamaica Scorpions on the final day of their round one West Indies Four-Day Championship clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, on Saturday.

Chasing 81 for victory the Red Force turned the match into an exciting contest losing wickets in quick succession.

Red Force were cruising on 34 without loss after starting the final day on 22 without loss.

However, Scorpions never gave up taking six wickets for 26 runs to leave the match interestingly poised with Red Force 60/6.

It then became 69/7, but Red Force captain Imran Khan and Anderson Phillip avoided any further drama guiding the home team to 81/7 to prevail by three wickets.

Opener Keagan Simmons struck 38 and Khan ended on 12 not out. They were the only two batsmen to reach double figures.

Spinner Jamie Merchant caused the most damage for Scorpions taking 3/18 in 10.4 overs.

Fast bowler Marquino Mindley was unplayable only conceding three runs in eight overs while snatching two wickets and left-arm spinner Harty also kept Scorpions in the contest with 2/21 in nine overs.

Red Force will play Windward Islands Volcanoes in round two from Tuesday at Brian Lara Cricket Academy at 10 am.

SUMMARISED SCORES

JAMAICA SCORPIONS 141 – Jermaine Blackwood 44, John Campbell 25; Bryan Charles 6/48, Jayden Seales 2/17 and 212 – John Campbell 45, Derval Green 41 not out; Anderson Phillip 5/82, Imran Khan 3/46, B Charles 2/49 vs TT RED FORCE 273 – Yannic Cariah 72, Isaiah Rajah 65; Marquino Mindley 5/70, Nicholson Gordon 4/65 and 81/7 – Keagan Simmons 38; Jamie Merchant 3/18, Marquino Mindley 2/3, Patrick Harty 2/21. Red Force won by three wickets