Red Force crush Hurricanes, Harpy Eagles in sight of victory

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force registered the first victory of this year’s West Indies Championship by completing a comprehensive innings and 271-run win over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes yesterday.

Meanwhile, defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles have wrestled the upper hand away from the Windward Islands Volcanoes and are on course for victory.

At Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, Amir Jangoo blazed a second first-class double century, while Terrance Hinds reached three figures for the second time in his career, to lead the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to an emphatic innings and 271-run win over the hapless Leeward Islands Hurricanes inside three days.

Jangoo finished unbeaten on 203, while Hinds scored an even century, as the Red Force – resuming the day on 380 for five – declared their first innings on 507 for five after 145 overs.

Faced with a mammoth first-innings deficit of 369 runs, the Hurricanes batted even worse in their second innings to be bowled out for just 98, with only two batters scoring in double digits.

The predictable win was set up by Jangoo and Hinds’ match-winning, unbroken fifth-wicket partnership, with none of the six bowlers used by skipper Justin Greaves able to make a breakthrough.

Jangoo, who resumed the day on 133, duly reached his double century and Hinds reached his century shortly afterwards, prompting a declaration by the Red Force.

Jangoo faced 287 balls and hit 16 fours and five sixes in his unbeaten knock, while Hinds struck five sixes and five fours in his 195-ball knock.

Needing to produce a herculean effort to force a draw, the Hurricanes produced another shabby performance with the bat, with only Greaves putting up any real resistance.

Jayden Seales struck first by dismissing Mikyle Louis for three and, when Anderson Phillip removed Kadeem Henry and Jewel Andrew in quick succession, the Hurricanes were in dire straits at six for three.

Keacy Carty and Greaves tried their best in a 35-run partnership, until left-arm spinner Khary Pierre trapped Carty lbw for eight.

Jahmar Hamilton (3), Jeremiah Louis (4), Rahkeem Cornwall (0) and Nathan Edward, who made four, then found themselves back in the pavilion after brief stints at the crease to see the Hurricanes slump to 68 for eight.

Greaves, who scored an unbeaten 56 off 128 balls and Daniel Doram, who made 16, briefly halted the slide of wickets, before spinners Pierre and Bryan Charles wrapped up the contest.

Pierre finished with 4-37, Charles took 2-15 and Phillip 2-18.

At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Guyana Harpy Eagles are on track to draw first blood against the Windward Islands Volcanoes following a topsy-turvy contest.

After the Harpy Eagles were dismissed for 264 to concede a slender first innings lead of 22 runs, Gudakesh Motie bagged four wickets. Motie was helped by fellow spinner Veerasammy Permaul as well as pacers Keemo Paul and Nial Smith to dismiss the Volcanoes for 209 in their second innings.

Set a victory target of 231 runs, the Harpy Eagles ended the day on 38 for one, requiring a further 194 runs on the final day of play.