KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Captain Denesh Ramdin’s unbeaten half-century helped Trinidad and Tobago Red Force take a stranglehold on their ninth round match against Windward Islands Volcanoes, and install themselves as firm favourites to win the contest on today’s final day.
Set 352 for victory at the Arnos Vale Stadium, Volcanoes ended yesterday’s penultimate day on 21 without loss, requiring a further 331 with all 10 wickets intact. Veteran opener Devon Smith was unbeaten on 16, ensuring he passed 700 runs for yet another first class season.
Ramdin had earlier stroked 57 not out as Red Force, resuming the morning on four without loss, declared their second innings on 244 for eight.
Tion Webster struck 43, opener Jeremy Solozano got 42 while Imran Khan continued his good form with 39 to follow up his first innings 71.
Joshua Da Silva fell cheaply for four with the score on 16 before key partnerships helped Red Force turn the tables. First, Solozano and Webster put on 63 for the second wicket and when the visitors lost three wickets for 17 runs, Jason Mohammed (21) and Khary Pierre (16) added a further 35 for the fifth wicket.
Red Force lost both Mohammed and Pierre in successive overs to stumble to 131 for six but Ramdin anchored a 69-run, seventh wicket partnership with Imran Khan to extend Volcanoes’ frustration.
Ramdin faced 148 deliveries and struck two fours while Imran Khan hit three fours in a 99-ball stay at the crease.
Left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge was superb with his maiden five-wicket haul in first class cricket, taking a career-best six for 68.
