Three Leeward Islands batsmen scored half centuries on the penultimate day to establish a first innings lead of 94 over Guyana Jaguars at the close of play at the Providence National Stadium ground yesterday.
Montcin Hodge, 98, Amit Jangoo, 90 and Jahmar Hamilton 67, combined to frustrate the Guyana Jaguars bowlers as the Leeward Islands Hurricanes made a strong reply to the Jaguars first innings score of 261.
Hurricanes, resuming day three of the West Indies Championship seventh round on 73 for two, reached 355 for seven at the close.
The day belonged to Montcin Hodge who fell two runs short of his century.
Hodge’s resolute innings spanned nearly seven hours and featured 10 boundaries.
The 32-year-old Anguillan right-hander, dropped on 68, was undone by Raymon Reifer (2-67) who had him caught behind by Anthony Bramble in the second over after the tea break.
During his 371-ball knock, Hodge shared a 171-run partnership with 22-year-old Amir Jangoo who also missed out on a ton and guided their side to 161 for two at lunch. His stubborn batting display frustrated not only the Jaguars fielders but the roughly 30 supporters in the near-empty stadium including vocal follower, Norman Welch.
The Trinidadian made use of his chances after being dropped on 28 and 29 by the second slip fielder, to engineer a 90-run innings, highlighted by 10 fours and one six while facing 250 balls.
However, the left-hander’s 289-minute resistance came to an end when he tried to sweep left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul (3-91) only to be trapped leg before wicket.
Reifer returned to remove Keacy Carty, who raced to 22 from 20 balls, including successive boundaries before guiding a straightforward catch to slip which gave Jaguars a late impetus although the Hurricanes ended the after lunch session on 251 for four.
Skipper Hamilton provided a late surge and became the third Hurricane batsman with a half century. He stroked a 75-ball 67, laced with nine fours and one six, which was slogged onto the roof of the player’s pavilion before being bowled by Permaul off the following delivery attempting a similar shot.
Hamilton added 80 for the sixth wicket with Terance Warde (21) who handed a simple catch to Bramble to give left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie his 100th first-class wicket in his 28th match but first of the season.
Jeremiah Louis and Rakheem Cornwall will resume Hurricanes innings on the final day today at 09.30 hours.
