(SportsMax) Jason Mohammed continued his rich vein of form, while captain Joshua Da Silva added his name to the century list, as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force got off to a promising start on day one of their third-round West Indies Championship clash against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Warner Park yesterday.
Mohammed, unbeaten on 104, and Da Silva, on 120, have so far put on a stellar 212-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which guided the Red Force to a strong position at 326-3 by the close of play. Both batsmen will resume their innings on today’s second day, with hopes of an even more imposing total.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Red Force endured their most challenging start of the campaign as opener Cephas Cooper fell cheaply for 14. Vikash Mohan (22) and Amir Jangoo (60), who registered his second consecutive half-century, worked to stabilize the innings before Mohan was dismissed off the bowling of Rahkeem Cornwall.
Jangoo’s well-compiled 69-ball 60, which included six boundaries and three sixes, further steadied the innings alongside Mohammed, but his dismissal—also to Cornwall—left the Red Force needing another solid stand. Enter captain Da Silva, who joined Mohammed in a partnership that methodically dismantled the Hurricanes’ bowling attack. Both batsmen played with controlled aggression, dispatching bad balls while maintaining a firm grip on their wickets.
Mohammed has so far struck nine fours and two sixes in his composed innings, while Da Silva’s authoritative knock includes 10 boundaries and a six. Their partnership not only provided the Red Force with stability but has also set the foundation for what could be a daunting first-innings total.
Cornwall’s 2-75 is the only bright spark for the Hurricanes bowlers, who have a challenging task ahead, especially with both batsmen well set.