Red Force batsmen Vikash Mohan and Amir Jangoo both hit centuries as the North team dominated South bowlers on Day 2 of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) North-South Cricket Classic at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva on Friday.
North closed on 269 for three, still behind by five runs of South’s total.
North began their reply to South’s 274 with Camillo Carimbocas and Vikash Mohan opening the innings. They seemed to have negotiated the early attack from Shaaron Lewis and out-of-favour West Indies fast bowler Anderson Phillip, but with 30 runs on the board, Carimbocas offered Kamil Pooran a catch at square leg when he tried to pull Shaaron Lewis to the boundary.
Pooran completed the catch as the Queen’s Park right-handed opener failed to time the ball the way he wanted and was dismissed for 16. His knock included three fours.
Mohan was then joined by Queen’s Park captain Isaiah Rajah who made 12. He fell at 61 for 2, offering wicketkeeper Daniel Williams a catch when he came forward to Bryan Charles’ delivery and induced the outside edge of his bat.
That wicket brought together the two Red Force players, as Amir Jangoo joined Mohan in the blazing hot sun who were sure to make a case for themselves for selection for the upcoming season.
Jangoo, 26, who briefly played with the Leeward Island Hurricanes, and Mohan, 29, who made his debut last year, shared in a 180-run partnership, as together they took the score to 241 before Mohan departed for a well-played 115.
He was caught when attempted to sweep a delivery from Damion Joachim and top-edged to Daniel Williams. Mohan was unwilling to walk at first, suggesting there was no edge.
Mohan hit ten fours and faced 222 balls in his marathon knock that lasted a little over five hours and would certainly impress the national selectors, headed by head coach David Furlonge.
Jangoo would not be outdone though, as the wicketkeeper batsman hit 13 fours in an unbeaten 106 from 234 balls in just over four hours. He did benefit from a drop catch by skipper Imran Khan when he was on 99.
Jangoo will continue his innings on Saturday morning, with Tion Webster, another Red Force player who no doubt looks to add to South’s misery.