Pooran, Emrit lead Red Force to win over defending champs

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Nicholas Pooran's swash-buckling half-century lifted the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to a comprehensive 75-run victory over defending champions Windward Islands Volcanoes in the opening round of matches in the Regional Super50.

Pooran smashed 89 from just 61 balls batting at number seven to carry the home side to a competitive total of 220 for eight in their rain-affected contest which saw the game reduced to 37 overs.

The Volcanoes never got close to their target, as they could only muster 145 for eight off their 37 overs.

The day belonged to the 23-year-old Pooran though, who smashed seven boundaries and six sixes to help rescue the Red Force from a dangerous position.

Despite boasting a star-studded cast, none of the Red Force's top-order batsman clicked.

Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis and Denish Ramdin all fell cheaply to leave the home side tottering at 43-3. Things only got worse when Kyle Mayers had Kieron Pollard caught for a duck two balls later to leave them in disarray at 43-4.

Kyle Hope put up some resistance before eventually falling for 25 soon after, and he was followed by Dwayne Bravo, who also made 25.

At this stage, the Red Force were 113-6 and in danger of being dismissed for a sub-par total.

However, Pooran joined Sunil Narine at the crease and the two set about repairing the damage in a 79-run partnership off the next nine overs.

Rayad Emrit claimed three scalps to help the Red Force limit the Volcanoes

Narine was also effective, with his 34 coming from just 29 balls, inclusive of two fours and two sixes.

By the time Mayers returned to claim their wickets, the damage had already been done, with Pooran falling 11 runs short of a well-deserved century.

Rayad Emrit then made sure there was no lull at the end of the innings, hitting a cameo 17 from 10 balls.

Mayers led the way for the Volcanoes, finishing with figures of 4-60 from his eight overs.

Emrit then returned with the new ball to cause more destruction, accounting for the early wickets of Devon Smith (6) and Kirk Edwards, who made one.

His early exploits, along with those of Narine and Bravo, helped to restrict the Volcanoes to 67 for six in the 15th over.