PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Debutant fast bowler Roshon Primus’s six-wicket haul turned the tables on a fighting half-century from veteran opener Devon Smith, as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force took honours on the opening day of their day/night first round Regional Four-Day contest here Friday.
The 21-year-old claimed a superb six for 30 to send Windward Islands Volcanoes tumbling for a disappointing 142 at Queen’s Park Oval, with only Smith showing any resistance by carrying his bat for an unbeaten 86.
In reply, Red Force were cruising at 96 for two before losing three wickets for 22 runs late on to stumble to the close on 139 for five. Opener Kyle Hope stroked 56 while Jason Mohammed was unbeaten on 39.
Former West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford wreaked the havoc with three for 25.
Sent in, Volcanoes were plunged into turmoil at 50 for eight after Barbadian Primus produced an incisive spell of fast bowling to wreck the innings.
Smith, however, stood firm and he anchored a 73-run, ninth wicket partnership with Delorn Johnson (38) which managed to see the visitors past the 100-run mark.
The left-handed Smith stroked 11 fours off 131 deliveries in just under 2-3/4 hours at the crease while Johnson was cavalier, belting a four and three sixes off 36 balls.
When Johnson was eventually bowled by Imran Khan at 123 for nine, Kenroy Peters helped add a further 19 runs for the last wicket with Smith, before departing lbw to off-spinner Jon-Russ Jagessar for five.
In reply, Red Force were given a solid start by Hope and Jeremy Solozano (9) as they put on 48 for the first wicket.
Hope, who struck seven fours in an 88-ball knock, added a further 26 for the second wicket with Yannic Cariah (17) before departing.
Even then, Red Force seemed in control with Mohammed and Cariah involved in a 22-run stand for the third wicket.
However, Shillingford’s introduction changed the course of the innings as he knocked over Cariah, captain Yannick Ottley (10) and Imran Khan (0) in quick succession, to haul his side back into the contest.
