TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Test wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva was among three batsmen with half-centuries as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force rebounded following a poor start, to make a strong finish to day one of their second round Regional First Class Championship game against Windward Islands Volcanoes yesterday.
The right-handed Da Silva, expected to be a part of the squad to be named shortly for next month’s three-Test series against England, was unbeaten on 52 at the close yesterday, helping the hosts to 217 for five at the Brian Lara Stadium.
Left-handed Yannic Cariah top-scored with 72 while opener Jeremy Solozano, also left-handed, stroked 66, as Red Force dug their way out of trouble at 22 for three.
New ball seamer Sherman Lewis was the standout for Volcanoes with three for 24 but was powerless later in the day to stop the Red Force revival.
The hosts were set back in the day’s 10th over when Keagan Simmons (8) and Isaiah Rajah (0) perished in the space of three deliveries to Lewis, with the score on 18.
Simmons edged a defensive prod to Alick Athanaze at second slip while fellow left-hander Rajah lasted two deliveries before shouldering arms and being adjudged lbw.
And Red Force were in deeper trouble when the experienced Jason Mohammed was turned in his crease by Lewis by one that left him, and caught at the wicket without scoring.
Cariah started the revival, punching five fours in a 174-ball knock and first inspiring 112-run, fourth wicket stand with Solozano and then a 59-run partnership with Da Silva.
Solozano struck eight fours off 191 balls and when he fell, Da Silva stepped up, facing 91 deliveries and hitting seven fours, to help Red Force further consolidate.
Cariah was the day’s final victim, lbw to seamer Ryan John, hitting across a straight delivery.