ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Man-of-the-Match Jason Mohammed and Evin Lewis stroked half-centuries but Trinidad and Tobago Red Force were made to repel a late surge from Windward Islands Volcanoes before making a winning start to their Regional Super50 title defence, with a nerve-jangling two-wicket victory here Friday night.
Set 267 for victory at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Red Force seemed to be strolling towards a straightforward win at 217 for three in the 41st over.
However, medium pacer Kyle Mayers intervened to snatch three quick wickets and engineer a slide which saw four wickets tumble for 28 runs in the space of 26 deliveries, and leave Red Force nervously placed at 245 for seven.
But all-rounder Imran Khan, with a cameo 30 from 23 balls, held his nerve well along with Roshon Primus, who scored a run-a-ball 10 not out, to see Red Force over the line with two overs remaining.
Mohammed top-scored with 80 from 105 balls while left-hander Lewis dazzled with 64 off a mere 31 deliveries. Opener Kyle Hope made 36 and captain Denesh Ramdin, 33.
Barbadian Mayers finished with three for 59 while captain and off-spinner Liam Sebastien picked up two for 31.
Sunil Ambris and former West Indies captain, Darren Sammy, had earlier entertained with dashing half-centuries, to help Volcanoes up to 266 for seven off their 50 overs after being sent in.
Ambris hit 69 from 88 deliveries while Sammy’s cavalier unbeaten 60 needed just 36 balls. Andre Fletcher offered support with 35 and Delorn Johnson, an audacious 16-ball, unbeaten 26.
Out-of-favour West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul shone with four for 43 while current Windies spearhead Shannon Gabriel claimed two for 53.
