Goolie and Da Silva lead Red Force takedown of Volcanoes
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Left-hander Jyd Goolie missed out on his third first-class hundred because of injury, but he shared a match-winning, century fifth-wicket partnership with his captain Joshua Da Silva that propelled hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force to a four-wicket victory against runaway leaders Windward Islands Volcanoes in the West Indies Championship on Saturday.
Goolie pulled up lame going for a single and was forced to retire hurt on 90, but Da Silva, the West Indies Test wicketkeeper-batsman, remained calm under pressure with an unbeaten 53, and Red Force successfully chased 185 to win on the rain-affected final day of the feature match in the fourth round of the West Indies four-day first-class tournament.
The result for Red Force – their third in succession against this opponent at Queen’s Park Oval – was part of a full house with all four matches producing a winner, which is bound to upset the standings.
Half-centuries from the West Indies pair of Keacy Carty and Justin Greaves anchored second-placed Leeward Islands Hurricanes to a three-wicket win against hosts Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners; Guyana Harpy Eagles defied half-centuries from Zachary McCaskie and Jason Holder to claim a 32-run win against Barbados Pride; and newly installed captain Brandon King proved his class with a second half-century that set up a two-wicket win for hosts Jamaica Scorpions against the Cricket West Indies Academy.
Red Force resumed from their overnight total of 10 for two, and pacer Ryan John struck in the first half-hour when he got Bryan Charles for four and had the home team reeling on 21 for three.
Long-serving batsman Jason Mohammed settled Red Force’s nerves when he shared exactly 50 with Goolie, but off-spinner Darel Cyrus bowled him for 15 in the final half-hour before Red Force reached lunch on 92 for four.
Red Force were 99 for four when rain stopped play two overs after the interval and kept the players off the field for about 40 minutes, and the left-handed Goolie reached his 50 from 156 balls when he dabbed pacer Ryan John into backward point for a single.
Da Silva hastened the end with two boundaries in three balls off the uncomplicated left-arm spin of West Indies Test teammate Kavem Hodge and formalised the result with a single to point about half-hour before the rescheduled tea break.
After the visitors resumed from their bedtime total of 15 without loss, they lost openers Kieran Powell and Mikyle Louis cheaply in the first half-hour, and they were reeling on 30 for two.
The tournament continues this coming Wednesday when Harpy Eagles face Volcanoes at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Red Force host Pride at Queen’s Park Oval, Marooners welcome CWI Academy at Frank Worrell Field, and Scorpions host Hurricanes at Sabina Park.