Ramdin hundred not enough to halt Pride progress

TAROUBA, Trinidad,  CMC – Captain Denesh Ramdin stroked his third hundred of the Regional first class season and second against Barbados Pride but it was not enough to stop the visitors from taking command of their seventh round contest at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Resuming Saturday’s third day on 146 for eight, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force were dismissed for 214 in their first innings, to concede a lead of 102 runs.

Ramdin, unbeaten on 74 at the start, carved out a superb unbeaten 132 – his 15th first class hundred. His first hundred of the season was against Pride in Bridgetown in the first round last October.

Batting a second time, Pride reached the close on 188 for seven, a lead of 290 runs heading into Sunday’s final day.

Red Force captain, Denesh Ramdin

All-rounder Shamar Springer top-scored with an unbeaten 38, captain Shamarh Brooks scored 37 while Anthony Alleyne and Kenroy Williams chipped in with 26 each.

Leg-spinner Imran Khan has so far taken three for 70 and was supported by off-spinner Bryan Bryan Charles with two for 56.

Looking to capitalise on their more than handy first innings advantage, Pride got off to a poor start in their second innings when they lost in-form opener Shayne Moseley for three in the seventh over, lbw to lively left-arm seamer Daniel St Clair with seven runs on the board.

However, Brooks and Alleyne came together to restore order to the innings, putting on 53 for the second wicket.

The right-handed Brooks produced a brisk knock, striking five fours and a six off just 28 deliveries while the left-handed Alleyne was more patient in a 79-ball innings that included two fours.

When Brooks was bowled by pacer Roshon Primus, Alleyne added a further 41 for the third wicket with Carter before finally perishing bowled by Imran Khan.

His dismissal, however, triggered a slump as four wickets tumbled for 21 runs, leaving Pride tottering on 122 for six.

Springer then propped up the innings by anchoring two stands – putting on 33 in a seventh wicket stand with Williams and another 33 in an unbroken eighth wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Mario Rampersaud (eight not out).

Ramdin had earlier denied Barbados any immediate success as he completed three figures in an innings that required 294 deliveries and included 15 fours overall.

Crucially, he added 68 for the ninth wicket with Charles who occupied the crease for 44 balls for his two runs.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican failed to add to his overnight tally, ending with six for 71 while pacer Justin Greaves grabbed the two last wickets of the innings in successive deliveries to finish with two for 26.