With the start of the upcoming West Indies Championship drawing closer, several players strengthened their cases for selection to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force squad with standout performances on the opening day of the Premiership Division One two-day matches yesterday.
At Marchin Recreation Ground, centuries from Navin Bidaisee and veteran Jason Mohammed powered PowerGen Penal Sports Club to a commanding 319 for three at stumps against title-chasing Bess Motors Marchin Patriots.
Bidaisee, who has played just one first-class match for the Red Force, underlined his value with the bat by registering his first century of the season. The left-hander scored 101 after previously coming close with scores of 70 and 90 earlier in the campaign.
Arriving at the crease with the score on 14, Bidaisee faced 175 balls and struck 11 fours and three sixes before reaching his landmark with a boundary off Kashtri Singh. He shared a 93-run partnership for the second wicket with Jeremy Solozano and then added a further 149 for the third wicket with Mohammed.
Solozano, fresh from a double century in the previous round, continued his rich vein of form with a solid 50 off 101 balls before he was trapped lbw by Ricky Jaipaul after helping lift the total past the 100 mark.
Mohammed then took control of the innings, showing aggressive intent from the outset. He hammered Singh for four boundaries in a single over and later brought up his century off 138 deliveries. Mohammed finished the day unbeaten on 105 off 150 balls, as PowerGen crossed the 300-run mark to put themselves firmly in control.
Jangoo stands out for QPCC
Elsewhere, another Red Force player was among the runs, as Queen’s Park Cricket Club dominated Prisons Sports Club at Prisons Ground in Arouca.
Amir Jangoo struck his second century of the season, finishing unbeaten on 111 as QPCC surged to 331 for four in reply to Prisons’ modest first innings total of 61. Jangoo faced 152 balls and struck five fours in his innings, while Joshua Da Silva made 58 and Kadeem Alleyne contributed 56.
Earlier, Prisons were routed for just 61 in 32 overs, with Bryan Charles producing a devastating spell of five for 18, well supported by Yannic Cariah who took two for 11. By stumps, the Parkites held a massive first-innings lead of 270 runs.
Central/Yorkshire in battle
At Cunjal Recreation Ground, defending champions Central Sports Club Yorkshire were under pressure against Profilbau Victoria United.
Left-handed opener Johann Jeremiah led the way with a superb 137 from 165 balls, striking 14 fours and five sixes to carry Victoria to 257 all out. Jeremiah shared a 104-run stand with Leonardo Julien, who contributed a run-a-ball 49, before adding a further 60 with Aaron Nanan, who made 39.
Central Sports Yorkshire fought back late with Nicholas Ali claiming four for 62 while Aneal Rooplal and Samuel Roopnarine each grabbed two wickets.
In reply, the defending champions closed on 163 for four, with Antonio Gomez unbeaten on 65 and Akeel Mohammed contributing 50, but they still trail by 94 runs heading into today’s final day.
In the other match at Honeymoon Park, Merryboys Sports Club reached 257 for eight against Preysal Sports Club, with Kyle Kissoondath scoring 65 and Giovanni Letren adding 51. Justyn Gangoo was the standout bowler with five for 80.
All matches conclude today.
Summarised scores:
At Marchin Recreation Ground
PowerGen Penal 319-3 (Jason Mohammed 105 n.o., Navin Bidaisee 101, Jeremy Solozano 50; Rivaldo Ramlogan 2/73)
vs Bess Motors Marchin Patriots
At Cunjal Recreation Ground
Profilbau Victoria United 257 (52.5 overs) (Johanne Jeremiah 137, Lenardo Julien 49, Aaron Nanan 39; Nicholas Ali 4/62, Aneal Rooplal 2/65, Samuel Roopnarine 2/74)
vs Central Sports Yorkshire 163-4 (Antonio Gomez 65 n.o., Akeel Mohammed 50); Chadeon Raymond 2/25)
At Arouca
Prisons Sports 61 (32 overs) (Zackurrie Raghoonath 26; Bryan Charles 5/18, Yannic Cariah 2/11)
vs QPCC 331-4 (Amir Jangoo 111 n.o., Kadeem Alleyne 56, Joshua Da Silva 58; Vikash Rampersad 2/98)
At Honeymoon Park
Merryboys 257-8 (Kyle Kissoondath 65, Giovanni Letren 51; Justyn Gangoo 5/80) vs Preysal Sports