Da Silva ton highlights opening day against Scorpions
CAPTAIN JOSHUA Da Silva showed class in scoring a belligerent century to guide the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force to a formidable opening-day score against the Jamaica Scorpions i n their final-round West Indies Championship match at Sabina Park yesterday.
The West Indies wicketkeeperbatsman faced 140 balls and hit 15 fours and a six in scoring 106 as the Red Force closed the day on 308 for seven against new captain Peat Salmon and his Scorpions outfit.
The Red Force were asked to take the first strike and steadily accumulated runs throughout the day against the hosts, who handed debuts to three players — pacer Andre Dennis, all-rounder Andre McCarthy and young batsman Justin Beckford.
It was one of the debutants, McCarthy, who got the first breakthrough of the day, removing opener Cephas Cooper for 12.
Opener Kjorn Ottley got to 45 before he was the second wicket to fall to Salmon at 81 for two.
After Jeavor Royal sent back Jason Mohammed for one and Salmon took care of Jyd Goolie for 19, the Red Force were in a precarious position at 96 for four before Amir Jangoo struck 51 to resuscitate the innings.
The l eft-hander hit seven fours and a six i n his halfcentury knock as he and Da Silva put on 80 for the fifth wicket, with bad light interrupting play for some time.
Da Silva then found another useful partner in debutant Navine Bidaisee, and they added 92 runs for the sixth wicket, with the latter falling to Javaughn Buchanan for 31 at 268 for six.
Da Silva then stepped up the ante and struck a few telling blows, bringing up his century and taking the visitors over the 300 mark.
The right-hander was the last wicket to fall on the day, bowled by Jeavor Royal for 106. Terrance Hinds will resume on today’s second day on 21 along with Khary Pierre on one.
Salmon and Royal have, so far, taken two wickets each.
Over at the Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad, the Guyana Harpy Eagles trail the Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners on first innings by 86 runs with nine wickets intact.
ROUTED FOR 200
Earlier, the Marooners were routed for 200, with Demario Richards scoring 43 against Nial Smith’s 3-45 and Veerasammy Permaul’s 3-51.
In reply, the Harpy Eagles were 114 for one, with Raymond Perez unbeaten on 61 and Kevlon Anderson, not out on 27.
At the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, the West Indies Academy trailed the Barbados Pride by 44 runs with six firstinnings wickets remaining.
Earlier, the Pride were dismissed for 155, with Johann Layne, 3-23, and McKenny Clarke, 3-26, doing the damage for the Academy. Jonathan Drakes scored 35 to lead the Pride batting.
In reply, the West Indies Academy were 111-4, with Ackeem Auguste not out on 67. Akeem Jordan has so far taken 2-37.
At Queen’s Park Oval, the Windward Islands Volcanoes suffered an early setback in reply to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes 300 all out.
Still with 294 to get if they are to overhaul the first-innings total, the Volcanoes were six for one.
The Hurricanes had earlier benefitted from an even 100 from Mikyle Louis and Jewel Andrew’s 68. Ryan John was the Volcanoes’ best bowler, ending the innings with figures of 3-67. Gilon Tyson, 2-33, and Daren Cyrus 2-70, also chipped in.