Katwaroo, Khan steer T&T in control
Jelani Beckles
Published: Guardian
Sunday, November 8, 2015
A half century from Steven Katwaroo and two late wickets by Imran Khan put T&T Red Force in control at the end of day two against Leeward Islands in the West Indies Cricket Board Regional Four-Day tournament, yesterday.
Starting day two on 155/3 at Warner Park in St Kitts, T&T posted 325 all out in the first innings thanks to four half centuries. The Leewards began its first innings poorly, closing on 55/4, still trailing T&T by 270 runs.
After cautious batting on day one, which saw T&T close on 155/3 after 72 overs, the T&T batsmen were more purposeful in their batting on day two. Diminutive wicketkeeper Katwaroo led the charge, top scoring with 71 to guide T&T past 300, a total they struggled to accomplish last season.
Narsingh Deonarine and Yannic Cariah, the two unbeaten batsmen at the start of yesterday’s play both posted half centuries.
T&T was reduced to 209/5 when Deonarine fell for 55 and Cariah lost his wicket for an even 50. Katwaroo, with some help from Yannick Ottley (32) and Khan (17), helped T&T to a competitive total before rain interrupted play.
Spin bowler Rahkeem Cornwall was the best bowler for the Leewards grabbing 3/72, while fast bowler Gavin Tonge snatched 2/53. Opening batsman Evin Lewis (66) scored a half century for T&T on the opening day. After the rain delay, the Leewards failed to survive the tricky final stages of play. Leg spinner Khan, T&T’s top bowler in last year’s tournament, took two quick wickets to leave the home team reeling at stumps. Falling victim to Khan were nightwatchman Bolan and T&T player Daron Cruickshank, who the Leewards picked up in the draft this year.
Cruickshank was caught at first slip, while Bolan was snapped up at forward short leg. Earlier, Red Force captain Rayad Emrit and West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel took one wicket apiece.
In the other matches, Jamaica and Windward Islands both made strong starts in the first innings. After dismissing Barbados for 373 in the first innings at Kensington Oval, Jamaica closed on 114/2.
At the National Cricket Stadium in Guyana, West Indies opener Devon Smith was 35 not out to lead the Windward Islands to 127/2. Earlier in the day, Guyana was bowled out for 362 in the first innings.
SCORES
• At Warner Park: T&T 325 (Steven Katwaroo 71, Evin Lewis 66, Narsingh Deonarine 55, Yannic Cariah 50, Rahkeem Cornwall 3/72, Gavin Tonge 2/53) vs Leeward Islands 55/4 (Nkrumah Bonner 27 not out, Imran Khan 2/10).
• At Providence: Guyana Jaguars 362 (Rajendra Chandrika 146, Vishaul Singh 48, Shane Shillingford 6/107) vs Windward Islands Volcanoes 127/2 (Tyrone Theophile 46, Devon Smith 35 not out).
• At Kensington Oval: Barbados Pride 373 (Kraigg Brathwaite 115, Shai Hope 77, Jason Dawes 3/51, Nikita Miller 4/100) vs Jamaica Scorpions 114/2 (Kirk Edwards 51 not out, John Campbell 49).
