Walcott and Ambris lift hosts to 243, Trinis solid in reply

Windward Islands Volcanoes wicketkeeper Tevyn Walcott and experienced batsman Sunil Ambris both made brisk half-centuries but a late collapse saw the home team lose wickets in a cluster on an action-filled opening day of their first round West Indies Championship match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Sent in at the Grenada National Stadium on Tuesday, Volcanoes were dismissed for 243 with Walcott top-scoring with a career-best 87 not out in his 13th first-class match. In the pre-lunch session an assured-looking Ambris steadied the innings with 55 – his 15th half century at the first-class level.

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/215142/#scorecard

Captain Alick Athanaze struck 41 and Ryan John an important 36, but off-spinner Bryan Charles (4-46) and seamer Terrance Hinds (4-72) combined to limit the hosts.

In reply, Darren Bravo finished on 32 not out as Red Force closed on 50-1, 193 runs behind heading into the second day on Wednesday. Red Force lost Khary Pierre without scoring to a catch at the wicket before Bravo arrived to stroke five fours and a six off 54 balls, in a 44-run second wicket stand with Jeremy Solozano (18 not out).

Earlier, with the innings tottering on 130-6, Walcott led the fightback for Volcanoes, punching 14 fours and a six in a knock lasting 101 balls, which laid the foundation for a 98-run, seventh wicket stand with allrounder John.

However, once John fell to left-arm spinner Khary Pierre after lashing three fours and two sixes in a 69-ball knock, Volcanoes lost their last four wickets for 15 runs as Red Force hit back.

The other matches start on Wednesday in Antigua. Two-time defending champs Barbados Pride face Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Over at Coolidge Cricket Ground, host Leeward Islands Hurricanes entertain Jamaica Scorpions. The Jamaicans will be looking to do the “double” having won the CG United Super50 title last November.