-Da Silva hits second consecutive century
(SportsMax) Despite a commanding all-round display and another brilliant century from captain Joshua Da Silva, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force had to settle for a draw against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their third-round West Indies Championship clash at Warner Park yesterday.
Da Silva, who struck a superb 152 in the first innings, followed up with an unbeaten 100 off just 108 balls in the second innings, ensuring Red Force maintained control but ultimately ran out of time to force a result.
Scores: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 529-5 dec & 191-3; Leeward Islands Hurricanes 433
Resuming the final day on 317-3, the Hurricanes put up a strong fight before eventually being bowled out for 433, conceding a 96-run first-innings deficit and with it, first innings honours. Karima Gore, who resumed on 41, and young prospect Jewel Andrew, who started the day on 26, extended their overnight partnership to 82 before Red Force spinner Khary Pierre made the breakthrough. Pierre removed Andrew for 40, caught behind, to spark a collapse. Gore continued to hold firm, adding a further 40 runs in a fifth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton before he too fell, caught behind off Yannic Cariah for a well-constructed 68.
With the Hurricanes at 378-5, Red Force turned the screws as Pierre and Cariah combined to dismantle the lower order. Hayden Walsh (18) became Cariah’s second victim, while captain Rahkeem Cornwall (4) and Alzarri Joseph (1) both perished to Pierre, reducing the home side to 416-8.
Hamilton attempted to shepherd the tail but was eventually undone, caught and bowled by Pierre for 46, before the left-arm spinner wrapped up the innings by dismissing Daniel Doram (5).
Pierre finished with 5-93 to increase his season tally to an impressive 26 wickets in just three matches, while Cariah’s 5-103 took his haul to 13 wickets for the campaign.
Holding a 96-run lead, Red Force looked to push the scoring rate in hopes of setting up a second bowl at the Hurricanes. However, they suffered an early setback as Alzarri Joseph removed both Vikash Mohan and Amir Jangoo without scoring, leaving the visitors wobbling two wickets down with no runs on the board. Cephas Cooper and Da Silva, however, steadied the innings with a counterattacking 132-run partnership. Cooper, who struck six boundaries in his 79-ball 52, looked in fine touch before falling to Cornwall.
But Da Silva continued his dominant form, bringing up his second consecutive century with an array of elegant strokes. His unbeaten century was laced with 11 fours and a six, which ensured Red Force maintained their grip on the game, even as time ran out.
He was well supported by Joshua James, who finished unbeaten on 29. Joseph ended as the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers with 2-36.
