Red Force take control as Cariah hits maiden hundred

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada,  CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force used an incisive bowling performance to take a firm grip on their sixth round game in the Regional four-day championship against Windward Islands Volcanoes here yesterday.

On a rain-hit second day at the National Stadium here, the visitors sent Volcanoes tumbling for a paltry 104 all out, to secure a healthy first innings lead of 171 runs.

At the close, Red Force were 23 for one – an overall lead of 194 runs heading into day three of the contest.

Yannic Cariah had earlier recorded his maiden first class century as Red Force, resuming the day on 250 for seven, were dismissed for 275. The left-handed Cariah had retired hurt on 92 the previous evening and once he returned to the crease, he reached triple figures to end on 102 not out.  All told, he faced 212 deliveries in just over 6-1/2 hours, striking eight fours and two sixes.

Khary Pierre, unbeaten on 39 overnight, reached his maiden half-century in first class cricket before he was dismissed on exactly 50. Medium pacer Kyle Mayers added one wicket to his overnight tally to end with four for 24 while seamer Sherman Lewis claimed three for 53.

Volcanoes then slumped to 11 for four and then 33 for six, a position from which they never recovered.

They were rocked by Jamaican left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell who claimed three for 30 while pacer Marlon Richards took two for 14 and off-spinner Bryan Charles (2-22) and leg-spinner Imran Khan (2-28) two wickets apiece. Shane Shillingford top-scored with 34 and staged a rearguard effort in a 45-run, seventh wicket stand with Mayers who made 31. Once the stand was broken, Volcanoes lost their last four wickets for 26 runs.