Red Force batsmen toil vs West Indies Academy as WI Championship resumes

THE two-week West Indies Championship break may have done more damage than good to the Red Force as their batting line-up stumbled on return against West Indies Academy on day one of their round four fixture at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on March 5.

At stumps, second-ranked Red Force (55.4 pts) were 129/6, batting first, against a cellar-placed West Indies Academy (12.6 pts), with TT skipper Joshua Da Silva (30 not out) and Khary Pierre (24 not out) set to resume day two at the crease.

Before the start, there was an almost three-hour delay because of rain.

Sent into bat, TT had a terrible start as opener Cephas Cooper was dismissed without a run on the board, caught by wicketkeeper Carlon Bowen-Tuckett off Jediah Blades pace in the third over.

Only ten runs were scored before fellow opener Tion Webster was bowled through bat and pad.

New batsmen Jason Mohammed (32) and Amir Jangoo (22) brought temporary stability to the innings with a 41-run partnership. Jangoo looked good early on and got off the mark by slicing Blades for a boundary. He smashed two more boundaries from the next two balls.

With 20 overs gone, TT were 51/2. In the 21st, however, Jangoo stepped up to a Blades delivery in an attempt to drive but nicked the ball to Rivaldo Clarke at first slip, off another fast bowler Nathan Edward.

At the tea break, TT were 73/3 after 25 overs. When captain Da Silva and veteran Mohammed returned to the middle, they added 16 more runs to the total before the latter swung behind an out-swinging Johann Layne delivery and edged to Bowen-Tuckett.

West Indies Academy capitalised on the bowler-friendly wicket as Layne struck again in his next over. An in-swinger from the lanky pacer caught Yannic Cariah’s glove and fell safely into Bowen-Tuckett’s gloves. Two balls later, Layne had new batsman Joshua James trapped in front his stumps without scoring.

Layne’s aggression with the ball saw TT slump to 91/6 after 29.3 overs.

With Da Silva and Pierre in the middle, the duo chose to settle the TT innings. They played patiently but Pierre opted to slash Joshua Bishop for two fours in the 36th over to show the academy bowlers he meant business.

Da Silva also tread lightly and tried to preserve his wicket knowing he and Pierre would have to champion the fight back.

In the 44th and final over of the day, Pierre lofted Bishop for a mighty six by driving him over the boundary; the first maximum of the innings.

At the close of play, TT were 129/6. Layne finished the first. Day’s play with spectacular figures of 4/20.

In other matches, Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) were dismissed for 262 versus Barbados Pride with Damel Evelyn (110) leading all scorers, partnered with Kieran Powell (45).

Topping the bowing for the Bajans were Roston Chase (5/70) and Jomel Warrican (3/76). In reply, Barbados were 29 without loss at the close of play at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

At Daren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia, Shadrack Descarte (119) put Windward Islands Volcanoes in a commanding position as they closed day one on 364/7 against Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Ryan John is on 71 not out while Oshane Thomas (4/45) leads the bowling attack for Leewards.

At Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles are 250/5 versus the hosts, courtesy Kevlon Anderson’s (100) century before retiring hurt, partnered with Matthew Nandu (61) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (32).

Matches resume at 10 am on March 6.

Summarised Scores

TT RED FORCE 129/6 — Jason Mohammed 32, Joshua Da Silva 30 not out, Khary Pierre 24 not out; Johann Layne 4/20 vs WEST INDIES ACADEMY

WINDWARD ISLANDS 364/7 — Shadrack Descarte 119, Ryan John 71 not out, Sunil Ambris 35; Oshane Thomas 4/45 vs LEEWARD ISLANDS

CCC 262 — Damel Evelyn 110, Kieran Powell 45; Roston Chase 5/70, Jomel Warrican 3/76 vs BARBADOS PRIDE 29/0

GUYANA 250/4 — Kevlon Anderson 100, Matthew Nandu 61, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 32; Odean Smith 3/45, Tamarie Redwood 2/81 vs JAMAICA SCORPIONS