The Leeward Islands Hurricane grabbed four wickets for 12 runs towards the end of day, after an opening stand of 162 by the T&T Red Force on the second day of its Digicel Professional Cricket league clash at the Queen’s Park Oval, yesterday.
Openers Kyle Hope and Isaiah Rajah combined for an opening association of 162 runs and just as the Hurricanes looked as if the wind was struck out of them, they came back by striking down four batsmen, as Red Force closed another rain affected day on 173 for four.
Rajah making his debut proved to be the perfect foil for the aggressive Hope and they batted beautifully together.
Just as Hope was looking for his century he became the first to fall. The right-hander fell LBW to Rahkeem ‘Jimbo’ Cornwall for 86. He faced 119 balls and hit 10 fours during his stay at the case. After a long partnership when one batsman goes, the other follows and this time the story was the same.
Rajah fell to part-time bowler and Hurricane skipper Keiran Powell for 69. He negotiated 161 deliveries which included 11 of which he timed perfectly to the fence for fours.
Soon the score slipped to 164 for two and skipper Ottley would have been looking to take it to the close but it did not happen. The right hander who is not enjoying a good tournament with the bat, failed to negotiate a delivery from Powell and was caught for one.
Cornwall then cleaned up nightwatchman Marlon Richards for a ‘duck’ and Red Force slumped to 173 for four.
Earlier, Leewards won the toss and the players finally got to touch at the turf at the Queen’s Park Oval after the first day was completely washed out.
Red Force decided to hand Isaiah Rajah his First Class debut and he out to open the batting for the local team with import Kyle Hope, after the Leewards won the toss and decided to ask Red Force to bat. The two played really positive cricket with the more experienced of the two Hope taking the lead. Hope was very effective in putting away the bad ball, while Rajah understood his role and they kept the Hurricanes at bay.
When lunch was taken, they were still together with 85 runs on the board. Hope was unbeaten on 56 of 71 balls with nine fours, while Rajah whose dad Aneil also played for T&T was on 23. He faced 73 balls and sent four of them to the fence.
T&T Red Force is currently fourth in the standings with 22 points, while the Leewards Hurricanes are second on 24.2 points.