Despite four wickets from T&T spinner Imran Khan yesterday, three half centuries by the Windward Islands gave the visitors the advantage at the end of day one at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, in round eight of the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League.
Khan, who took eight wickets in T&T's 179-run win over Jamaica in the last round, finished with 4/101 in 27 overs but the Windward Islands closed the opening day on a solid 304/6. West Indies batsman Devon Smith (70), Miles Bascombe (65) and Romel Currency (52 not out) all banged half centuries.
Right-handed Currency was pivotal in getting the Windward Islands pass 300 at the close. After the fall of two quick wickets, T&T was mounting a small fightback with the Windwards on 204/4. However, some attacking cricket lead by Currency kept the visitors in control. When Currency joined Dalton Polius, the former announced his arrival with a six over long on and the pair continued to play their shots.
T&T captain Rayad Emrit tried everything to slow down the momentum of the Windward Islands, using eight bowlers including Kieron Pollard. Pollard is representing T&T for the first time since the Nagico Super50 tournament in January, after suffering a leg injury.
Just before the drinks break after tea, leg spinner Yannic Cariah (1/25) got the wicket of Polius as soon as he was introducd. In an attempt to cut, Polius could only find the edge to give wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo a sharp catch to leave Windwards on 254/5.
The wicket did not slow down the Windwards as Currency continued to push on when he was joined by Dennis Smith. After Khan grabbed the wicket of Smith (Dennis), Currency and Shane Shillingford survived the remaining overs to leave the Windwards smiling at stumps. Currency's knock included three fours and one six.
Earlier, openers Smith (Devon) and Tyrone Theophile (39) made a strong start putting on 99 for the first wicket. Also among the wickets for T&T on day one was fast bowler Marlon Richards who snatched 1/56 in 17 overs.
Matches continue today from 10 am.
Scoreboard
T&T vs WINDWARDS
Windward Islands lst innings
Devon Smith lbw M RIchards 70
T Theophile c A Hosein b I Khan 39
M Bascombe lbw I Khan 65
C Emmanuel c K Pollard b I Khan 20
D Polius c S Katwaroo b Y Cariah 31
R Currency not out 52
Dennis Smith lbw I Khan 16
S Shillingford not out 2
Total: 304/6
Still to Bat: D Johnson, K Peters, M Matthew
Fall of Wickets: 99, 128, 187, 204, 255, 294
Bowling: M Richards 17-3-56-1, R Emrit 15-4-33-0, D St Clair 5-1-15-0, I Khan 27-1-104-4, K Pollard 2-1-4-0, J Mohammed 5-1-22-0, A Hosein 11-0-37-0, Y Cariah 8-1-25-1
?Other scores
Leeward Islands vs Barbados
At Warner Park: Leewards 215 (Lyndel Richardson 51, Rahkeem Cornwall 48, Jomel Warrican 8/88) vs Barbados 27/0
Jamaica vs Guyana
At Guyana National Stadium: Jamaica 258 (Chadwick Walton 58, Jermaine Blackwood 58, John Campbell 48, Veerasammy Permaul 5/77, Devendra Bishoo 4/62) vs Guyana 35/0