ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Test discard Denesh Ramdin continued to press his case for a recall to the regional side, stroking his third half-century of the season here yesterday to move to the brink of 700 runs.
The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force skipper struck 75 but it was not enough to prevent his side from being forced to follow on, as they were dismissed for 172 in their first innings on the penultimate day of their ninth round contest in the Regional Four-Day Championship against Windward Islands Volcanoes.
Behind by 194 runs, the visitors ended the day on 93 for two in their second innings, still requiring a further 101 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
They were being carried by left-handed opener Amir Jangoo who was unbeaten on 58.
Resuming the day at the National Stadium on 51 for four in reply to Volcanoes’ 366, Red Force were immediately in trouble when they lost Tion Webster without adding to his overnight three, bowled by seamer Kyle Mayers in the third over of the morning.
Not for the first time this season, however, the right-handed Ramdin rescued the visitors. The 32-year-old faced 182 balls and struck seven fours but more importantly, anchored two key partnerships to push Red Force past 150.
He put on 51 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo who made 23 from 75 balls, before adding a further 46 for the seventh wicket with Imran Khan who also got 23.
The resistance ended with Imran Khan’s departure as Red Force lost their last four wickets for 18 runs, with Ramdin ninth out with his fourth century of the campaign in sight.
Ramdin, a former Windies Test captain, now has 695 runs for the season – the second highest aggregate for the 2017/18 campaign.
Off-spinner Shane Shillingford finished with three for 36 while left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson (2-32) and seamer Sherman Lewis (2-39) claimed two wickets apiece.
Needing an improved batting effort the second time around, Red Force were again in early trouble, losing Jeremy Solozano (16) and Ewart Nicholson (6) cheaply to slide to 31 for two.
Jangoo, however, stalled Volcanoes’ charge, hitting two fours and a six in an uncharacteristically sedate innings that has so far lasted 155 deliveries.
He put on 62 in unbroken third wicket stand with left-hander Yannic Cariah who was unbeaten on 11.
