[UPDATED] Bowlers give Khary Pierre XI the edge on day 2 of Red Force trial match

The Khary Pierre XI took control versus the Jyd Goolie XI on day two of their day/night TT Red Force trial match at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva – holding a 211-run lead at press time on January 16.

After being sent in by the Goolie XI, the Pierre XI made a respectable total of 331, with Joshua James (74 off 118 balls), Cephas Cooper (71 off 122) and Mbeki Joseph (70 off 78) all cracking fifties.

In trouble at 167 for six on day one, the innings of the Pierre XI was restored by a seventh-wicket stand of 89 between James and Joseph as they ended the first day's play on 301 for seven. James added three runs to his overnight score, with his team adding just 30 runs to their total.

Left-arm spinner Justyn Gangoo led the Goolie XI with figures of three for 26, with Vikash Mohan grabbing two for 20.

The Goolie XI got their innings under way with a 45-run stand between Mohan (22) and Jordan Warner (27), but the Pierre XI stamped their authority thereafter.

The opening batsmen were removed by Tion Webster in quick succession, and the Goolie XI fell into trouble as they were left reeling at 97 for seven at one stage. Dejourn Charles (three), Andrew Rambaran (six), Antonio Gomez (duck) and Goolie (five) all went cheaply. Pierre got into the act with the scalps of Goolie and Gomez in the same over, with James, Fareez Ali and Aaidan Racha also picking up wickets.

After a rain interval, Shatrughan Rambaran (28 not out) and Abdul-Raheem Toppin (ten not out) tried to offer lower order resistance, with the Goolie XI pushing their score to 120 for seven at 7 pm in the day's final session.

Weather permitting, the third day's play will bowl off from 1 pm at the NCC on January 17.

Summarised Scores:

KHARY PIERRE XI – 331 (Joshua James 74, Cephas Cooper 71, Mbeki Joseph 70; Justyn Gangoo 3/26, Vikash Mohan 2/20) vs JYD GOOLIE XI – 120/7 (Shatrughan Rambaran 28 not out, Jordan Warner 27, V Mohan 22).