BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Yannick Ottley hit his second first class half-century to carefully guide Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to their first win of the WICB Professional Cricket League here yesterday.
The 23-year-old right-hander stroked a responsible, unbeaten 76 as Red Force, set 203 for victory easily reached their target by six wickets and inflict a second straight defeat on the luckless Leeward Islands.
Following on from the poor start to the competition at home in the first round, Red Force jumped to second spot in the standings with 20 points.
The Leewards, meanwhile, as has been the case in recent seasons, are languishing fifth on six point in the six-team standings.
Resuming the day on 95 for two in search of another 108 for victory, Ottley assumed responsibility for the run chase with a measured knock.
Overall, he struck eight fours and a six in a knock that spanned 230 balls in nearly 5-1/2 hours at the crease. Significantly, he anchored key partnerships that kept the Red Force innings together, putting on 104 for the third wicket with Jason Mohammed who hit 56, and another 41 runs for the fourth wicket with Nicholas Pooran who scored 21.
Mohammed’s innings was one of patience as he faced 131 balls in 136 minutes and struck two fours while Pooran counted two fours and a six off 57 balls in 71 minutes.
The right-handed Mohammed eventually fell to a catch at short mid-wicket off leg-spinner Anthony Martin, and when Pooran was stumped trying to use his feet to off-spinner Jacques Taylor at 187 for four, Red Force still needed 16 for victory.
But Ramdin and Ottley quietly carried the visitors to victory, amidst a short stoppage for rain.
Scoreboard
LEEWARDS 1st 202
T&T RED FORCE 1st Innings 130
LEEWARDS 2nd Innings 130
T&T RED FORCE 2nd Innings (target: 203)
L Simmons lbw b Tonge 13
Imran Khan c wkp Hamilton b Peters 21
Y Ottley not out 76
J Mohammed c Richardson b Martin 56
N Pooran st Hamilton b Taylor 23
D Ramdin not out 6
Extras (b4, w2, nb2) 8
TOTAL (4 wkts, 81.1 overs) 203
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-42, 3-146, 4-187.
Bowling: Tonge 9-3-30-1, Louis 13-3-31-1, Peters 10-5-20-1, Martin 9-2-13-0, Taylor 24.1-8-44-1, Leonard 17-5-41-1, Leonard 8-0-33-1.
Result: T&T Red Force won by six wickets.
Points: Red Force 15, Leewards Franchise 4
Toss: Trinidad & Tobago
Man-of-the-Match: Imran Khan.
Umpires: Nigel Duguid, Patrick Gustard.
