Da Silva double century lifts T&T

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force built on their advantage and are firmly in control of their third-round contest against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the West Indies Championship following the end of the second day’s play.

Skipper Joshua Da Sliva slammed a double century and pacer Anderson Phillip grabbed two wickets to put the Red Force in a good position to earn a sizeable first-innings lead over the Hurricanes.

Elsewhere, the Guyana Harpy Eagles and Windward Islands Volcanoes are locked in an intriguing battle.

At the Antigua Recreation Ground in Antigua, a magnificent double century from Da Silva propelled his side to a mammoth first-innings total against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

Da Silva smashed a career-best 220 to lead his side to 522 for nine declared, their highest total of the tournament to date.

Fast-bowler Anderson Phillip then took two early wickets to reduce the Hurricanes to 88 for four at the close of play, to leave them trailing by 434 runs.

The day belonged to Da Silva, who resumed on 72 not out with the score on 247 for three.

His partner Amir Jangoo added just 14 runs to his overnight total of 69 before he was dismissed by offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall.

Evin Lewis, who retired hurt on the opening day, was then run out two runs later to leave the Red Force 291 for five.

Da Silva got to his third first-class century in fortuitous circumstances, inside edging fast-bowler Oshane Thomas to the fine leg boundary for four off his 183rd delivery.

He also shared a partnership of 132 with Terrance Hinds for the sixth wicket, which tightened their grip on the contest.

Red Force lost the wickets of Hinds for 44, Khary Pierre for 14 and Joshua James for 15, but Da Silva found a capable partner in Phillip.

He reached his double century by dabbing Karima Gore behind point for a quick single, and soon after he overtook his previous highest score of 218.

Gore eventually dismissed Da Silva, his marathon knock spanning just over seven hours in which he faced 304 balls and hit 20 fours and two sixes, prompting a declaration from the Red Force.

Gore ended with 4-86 and Oshane Thomas, 2-70.

The Hurricanes could not have envisioned a worse start, losing both openers Mikyle Louis and Kofi James for ducks without a run on the board.

Gore and Keacy Carty steadied the innings during a partnership of 62, but the Hurricanes lost the wickets of Carty for 18 and Jewel Andrew for a duck, to slump to 63 for four.

Gore, though, finished on 60 not out and along with captain Justin Greaves will carry the brunt of the responsibility of helping them avoid the follow-on.

At the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, the Volcanoes conceded a slender 19-run, first-innings lead to their opponents after they were dismissed for 223 in response to the Harpy Eagles’ 242.

They however struck back to claim two late wickets as the Harpy Eagles ended day two on 44 for two, an overall lead of 63.