[UPDATED] Red Force booted out four-day title race

TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force bowed out of contention for the 2022 West Indies Four-Day Championship title after an embarrassing innings and 22-run defeat against Barbados Pride just after lunch on the third day at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba on Friday. The hosts resumed their second innings on 51/3, trailing Barbados’ first innings tally of 294 by 110 runs, after a shabby 133 Red Force first innings stance. At the resumption, three Red Force wickets fell cheaply before lunch on day three (112/6), and the remaining four were whittled away in under an hour after lunch, to sink TT to 139 all out in 53.2 overs, and end their four-day title campaign. Red Force captain Imran Khan was a bit lost for words after the match and affirmed that batting remains the team’s biggest downfall. “I’m disappointed in the manner we finished this game. It’s not the result we wanted but I think we have a lot to improve on. “I’m disappointed with the batting display.

I don’t really know what to say about that. It’s something we have to work on going forward and it’s been happening for the last couple games. “To get a good start, we’ve always struggled, with the new ball especially. It’s something we have to do going forward, probably work a little harder and batting new balls in training, but we definitely have to improve,” said a dejected Khan. TT were hoping to extend their overnight partnership from Keagan Simmons (26 not out) and Jason Mohammed (six not out), but ten balls into the third day’s play, spinner Roston Chase had Mohammed bowled.

He scored ten. Yannic Cariah joined Simmons in the middle but Chase struck again, nine balls later, forcing Simmons to play into the hands of Sheyne Moseley. At an upsetting 64/5, and still trailing by 97 runs, Joshua Da Silva strolled out tasked with rescuing a downward-spiralling Red Force second innings.Cariah and Da Silva went on to build TT’s largest partnership (42) of the two innings. The pair rotated the strike nicely and even teamed up to score 15 runs off a Justin Greaves over, which comprised three fours. The next over, Jordan forced Da Silva to swing and the youngster edged into the hands of diving wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich. With TT on 106/6, the remaining four wickets fell for just 33 runs, and the Red Force were removed from the title race. Cariah finished unbeaten on 35 while pacer Shannon Gabriel (ten) scored the highest of the final four batsmen. Topping the bowling for Barbados was Chase (3/26), who initiated TT’s slide on the third day, while Greaves (3/27) and Jordan (3/32) also had effective spells. This loss for TT saw them remain in third position on the standings, pending the results of the other two ongoing matches between Jamaica and Guyana and Windward and Leeward Islands.

Barbados however, cemented the spot atop the rankings. With just one game to go for TT, against Guyana Harpy Eagles, on Wednesday, at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Khan hopes they can finish the competition on a positive note. “The manner in which we started the season (wins against Jamaica and Windwards), everyone was confident that we had a good chance of winning the title this year, especially playing at home. But back-to-back losses, it’s a big setback for us. It’s important for us to regroup as a team and finish the season on a high. “We have to stick to the plan and it’s a good opportunity for the guys to finish the season performing well. It’s all to play for, personal goals as well, and hopefully guys can come out of this disappointment and perform to the best of their ability,” he added. Khan confirmed the team resumes training on Sunday in preparation for the Guyana clash.

This story was originally published with the title "Red Force booted out four-day title race after loss to Barbados" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force bowed out of contention for the 2022 West Indies Four-Day Championship title after an embarrassing innings and 22-run defeat against Barbados Pride just after lunch on the third day at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba on Friday.

The hosts resumed their second innings on 51/3, trailing Barbados’ first innings tally of 294 by 110 runs, after a shabby 133 Red Force first innings stance.

At the resumption, three Red Force wickets fell cheaply before lunch on day three (112/6), and the remaining four were whittled away in under an hour after lunch, to sink TT to 139 all out in 53.2 overs, and end their four-day title campaign.

Yannic Cariah top-scored with 35 not out while Keagan Simmons chipped in with 31. Topping the bowling for Barbados was Roston Chase (3/26), while Justin Greaves (3/27) and Akeem Jordan (3/32) were also among the wickets.

This result sees TT remain in third position on the standings, with one game to go, pending the results of the other ongoing matches between Guyana Harpy Eagles and Jamaica Scorpions and Windward Islands Hurricanes and Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

Defending champions Barbados remain in pole position with one round to go. TT play Guyana in their final 2022 WI Championship match at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain on Wednesday from 10am.

Summarised Scores

TT RED FORCE 133 – Imran Khan 29, Terrance Hinds 25, Joshua Da Silva 23; Jomel Warrican 3-21, Justin Greaves 2/17 & 139 – Yannic Cariah 35 not out, Keagan Simmons 31, Jeremy Solozano 14; Joshua Da Silva 14; Roston Chase 3/26, Justin Greaves 3/27, Akeem Jordan 3/32 vs

BARBADOS PRIDE 210 – Raymon Reifer 79, Justin Greaves 50, Jonathan Carter 41, Akeem Jordan 31; Terrance Hinds 5/32, Imran Khan 2/60. – Barbados Pride won by an innings and 22 runs.