TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Test left-hander Darren Bravo was eyeing a half-century as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force took the upper hand on the opening day of their second round Regional four-day contest against Leeward Islands Hurricanes here yesterday.
After bundling out the visitors for a disappointing 185 in their first innings, Red Force finished the day on 74 for one – only 111 runs adrift of their target at the Brian Lara Stadium.
Bravo, who hit a half-century in the opening round, was unbeaten on 36 from 81 deliveries, and has already struck five fours and a six.
He has so far shared a second wicket stand of 71 with opener Keagan Simmons who was unbeaten on 32 from 95 balls with four boundaries.
The stand pulled Red Force around from early trouble at three for one when left-hander Jeremy Solozano drove tentatively at lively seamer Sheno Berridge and was caught at the wicket.
Earlier, captain Jahmar Hamilton had top-scored with 55 while Test pacer Alzarri Joseph showed his worth with the bat in a positive 35 at number nine.
With the exception of Keacy Carty’s 27, the Hurricanes batting once again left a lot to be desired as it fell prey to Jamaican speedster Odean Smith who snatched four for 50 while left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein extended his good form with two for 32.
It was Smith who grabbed two of the first three wickets to fall to leave Hurricanes in disarray at 26 for three inside the first hour.
First, he got left-hander Kieran Powell (6) to play around a full length delivery and fall lbw in the fourth over before having new batsman Devon Thomas caught at first slip without scoring, flirting with a wide ball in the sixth over.
Montin Hodge then followed in the ninth over, lbw to fast bowler Terrance Hinds for five.
Hamilton, who struck eight fours and a six in a 79-ball knock, then anchored two key stands to stabilise the innings, putting on 51 for the fourth wicket with Carty and 45 for the fifth wicket with Amir Jangoo (17).
However, once Hamilton was bowled by Hosein trying to whip a straight one through the on-side, Hurricanes lost their last six wickets for 63 runs.
Score: Red Force trail Hurricanes by 111 runs with nine first innings wickets intact. Leeward Islands Hurricanes 185 (Jahmar Hamilton 55, Alzarri Joseph 35, Keacy Carty 27; Odeam Smith 4-50, Akeal Hosein 2-32)
T&T Red Force 74 for one (Darren Bravo 36 not out, Keagan Simmons 32 not out)
