ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Wicketkeeper Tevyn Walcott and former West Indies batsman Sunil Ambris both gathered uptempo half-centuries but a late collapse saw Windward Islands Volcanoes squander a great opportunity on the opening day of their first round Regional First Class match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. Sent in at the Grenada National Stadium here yesterday, Volcanoes were dismissed for 243 with the 28-year-old Walcott top-scoring with a defiant unbeaten 87 and Ambris chipping in with 55. Captain Alick Athanaze struck 41 and Ryan John an important 36, but off-spinner Bryan Charles (4-46) and seamer Terrance Hinds (4-72) combined to limit the hosts.
In reply, out-of-favour Test batsman Darren Bravo finished on 32 not out as Red Force closed on 50 for one, 193 runs behind heading into Wednesday’s day two. Hinds justified Red Force’s decision to bowl first, knocking over Kimani Melius (4) and Kavem Hodge cheaply (0) – both to catches at the wicket – to reduce Volcanoes to 16 for two in the fifth over of the morning.
Athanaze, who faced 70 balls and struck five fours, started the rebuild when he added 28 for the third wicket with Jerlani Robinson (14), and a further 54 for the fourth wicket with Ambris.
On 86 for three at lunch, Volcanoes stumbled following the resumption when Athanaze perished in the second over, triggering a slide which saw three wickets tumble 32 runs.
The left-handed Athanaze, 24, needlessly skied Charles to mid on while Ambris was sixth out after counting seven fours and a couple of sixes in a 57-ball cameo, cutting Hinds low to gully.
With the innings tottering on 130 for six, Barbadian Walcott led the fightback for Volcanoes, punching 14 fours and a six in a knock lasting 101 deliveries, which laid the foundation for a 98-run, seventh wicket stand with John.
However, once John fell to left-arm spinner Khary Pierre after lashing three fours and two sixes in a 69-ball knock, Volcanoes lost their last four wickets for 15 runs as Red Force hit back.
In their reply, Red Force lost Pierre without scoring to a catch at the wicket before Bravo arrived to stroke five fours and a six off 54 balls, in a 44-run second wicket stand with Jeremy Solozano (18 not out).