KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Middle order batsman Jason Mohammed stroked an important half-century to prop up Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of their first Regional Four-Day Championship clash against Windward Islands here yesterday.
Sent in, T&T were bundled out for 179 with the right-handed Mohammed hitting a top score of 57 which held the innings together at Arnos Vale Stadium.
Opener Justin Guillen weighed in with 38 while captain Denesh Ramdin hit 20.
At the close, the Windwards were making a solid reply at 12 without loss with left-hander Devon Smith, who hit a century in each innings of the first round match against Combined Campuses and Colleges, unbeaten on 15.
T&T, who drew a bye in last weekend’s opening round of matches, started well but then lost their way in the middle order as seamer Kenroy Peters made key strikes.
The left-arm pacer finished with three for 28 from 14 incisive overs and was supported by off-spinners Dalton Polius (2-11) and Liam Sebastien (2-21), with left-arm quick Delorn Johnson chipping in with two for 32.
Guillen put on 37 for the first wicket with out-of-favour Test opener Adrian Barath (17) before adding a further 31 for the second wicket with Evin Lewis (13).
However, Peters grabbed three quick wickets with just five runs added to leave T&T on 73 for four, forcing Mohammed into a rescue mission.
The right-hander posted 33 for the fifth wicket with Ramdin and then found an ally in Yannick Cariah (14) to put on another 43 for the sixth wicket.
All told, Mohammed struck five fours and two sixes, in an innings that lasted 145 minutes and 99 balls, before he was bowled by Polius to be eighth out.
