Pride hunting win against Hurricanes

Three wicket hauls by pacer Shaquille Cumberbatch and off-spinner Roston Chase left the Leeward Islands Hurricanes fighting an uphill battle to avoid defeat against Barbados Pride in the West Indies Championship on Friday.

Keacy Carty stroked his third first-class hundred, but the front-runners were staring defeat in the face after being forced to follow on.

Carty struck 12 fours in a top score of 127 from 232 balls in a little more than 4-1/2 hours and was a pillar of strength in the Hurricanes batting before they were bowled out for 288, replying to the Pride’s first innings total of 542 for nine declared at Queen’s Park Oval.

West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper-batsman Jewel Andrew supported with 53, and opener Mikyle Louis, made 52, but the Hurricanes’ batting was undermined by Chase and Cumberbatch.

Trailing by 254 runs, the Hurricanes got off to a strong start and reached 98 for one after long-serving left-handed opener Kieran Powell was caught at slip off the uncomplicated leg-spin of Kevin Wickham for 52 to the final ball of the day. Louis was not out on 45 when stumps were drawn.

Earlier, Chase grabbed three for 47 from 14.2 overs with his off-spin, and rookie pacer Cumberbatch bagged three for 48 from 15 overs, while discarded West Indies left-handed all-rounder Raymond Reifer snared two wickets.

There were two prolonged periods of resistance from the Hurricanes when Carty completed a second-wicket stand of 170 with Louis after their side started the day on 97 for one, and he put on 67 with Andrew for the fourth wicket before being caught behind off Cumberbatch inside the first hour after lunch.

Elsewhere, defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles made a strong push for victory against hosts Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park.

The Scorpions, chasing 419 to win, reached 123 for two in their second innings at the close with Kirk McKenzie not out on 39 and his captain Brandon King not out on 13, holding the reins to the outcome of the contest.

Harpy Eagles had earlier dismissed the Scorpions for 153 to gain a 271-run, first innings lead, but they decided to bat a second time.

Led by 44 from their captain and first innings century-maker Tevin Imlach, and 36 not out from Kevin Sinclair, they reached 147 for four before they declared about 45 minutes before the scheduled tea break.

Scorpions went to tea on 23 without loss, but Sinclair got rookie opener Carlos Brown caught behind for 10 in the third over after the break and left-arm spin bowling stalwart Veerasammy Permaul got newcomer Javaughan Buchanan caught at second slip for 39 in the first over after the final drinks break of the day.

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force were also scenting victory after a destructive spell from Test pacer Anderson Phillip propelled them to a 353-run, first innings lead against hosts Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners.

Phillip grabbed five for 71 from 22 overs, and the Marooners were bowled out for 238, replying to the Red Force first innings total of 591 for seven declared at the Frank Worrell Field on the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad.

Hometown boy Yannick Ottley defied Phillip and the rest of the Red Force attack to hit the top score of 56 after the composite side continued from their overnight total of 109 for five,

First innings century-makers, Jason Mohammed, not out on 41, and left-hander Amir Jangoo, not out on 34, then anchored Red Force to 95 for two before the declaration came about 50 minutes after the schedule tea break.

Set 449 to win, the Marooners were 67 for one in their second innings when stumps were drawn with opener Damel Evelyn was not out on 43 and teenaged leg-spin all-rounder Zishan Motara not out on nought.

(CMC)