Allrounder Marlon Richards scored a counter-attacking half-century on day one of the Red Force cricket team's Four-Day trial match at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva yesterday.
Batting for the Isaiah Rajah XI against the Keagan Simmons XI, Richards smashed four sixes and two fours during his knock of 51 which helped his team to reach 190 all out.
After winning the toss, the Rajah XI lost Cephas Cooper caught behind by Leonardo Julien from the bowling of pacer Jarlanie Seales for no score with just three runs on the board.
From then on, they continued to lose wickets regularly as Daniel St Clair came to the party. The 33-year-old would go on to record figures of five wickets for 44 runs from 13.2 overs.
Only two of the Rajah XI's top five batsmen reached double digit scores. Opening batsman Nicholas Alexis made 12 and Rajah made 18. In fact, they had to wait until their number seven batsman Jharon Alfred came to the middle for a notable score. He made 28.
After his dismissal, making the score 96 for 8 wickets, Richards put on a critical 92-run stand with Bryan Charles. Together they pushed their team up to 188 before Richards' dismissal for 51.
In reply, the Simmons XI reached 33 for the loss of one wicket at the close of play with Julien dismissed for 0. The not out batsmen are Simmons on eight and Jyd Goolie on 19.
DAY ONE SCORES:
Isaiah Rajah XI 190 (Richards 51 Alfred 28; St Clair 5/44) vs Keagan Simmons XI 33/1 (Simmons 8 no, Golie 19 no).
