Da Silva’s Second Century and Ten Wickets Shared by Pierre and Cariah Result in a Draw

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force secured first innings points against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in a drawn third-round match of the West Indies Four-Day Championship at Warner Park. Spinners Yannic Cariah and Khary Pierre spearheaded the Red Force bowling attack on the final day, claiming five wickets apiece. Cariah’s 5 for 103 and Pierre’s 5 for 93 dismantled the Hurricanes’ batting line-up, dismissing them for 433 in response to the Red Force’s imposing first innings total of 529 for 5 declared. This marked Cariah’s third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, while Pierre achieved his third of the 2025 season and fourth overall.

With a substantial 96-run first innings lead and two sessions remaining, the Red Force opted to bat again, solidifying their advantage. Skipper Joshua Da Silva capitalized on the opportunity, notching his second century of the match. His unbeaten 100, punctuated by 11 fours and a six, anchored the Red Force’s second innings, guiding them to 191 for 3 at the close of play. Da Silva’s resilient knock proved crucial after an early wobble saw the Red Force lose two quick wickets – Vikash Mohan and Amir Jangoo – without scoring, both falling to Alzarri Joseph. Da Silva, in partnership with Cephas Cooper (52), steered the Red Force to a position of safety, ensuring a draw.

The Hurricanes’ innings resumed on the final day at 317 for 3, with Jewel Andrew and Karima Gore exhibiting a cautious approach initially. Their partnership blossomed as the morning progressed, with Andrew smashing a six and Gore contributing with boundaries. However, Pierre’s persistence paid off when he trapped Andrew stumped, breaking the crucial stand at 338. While Gore subsequently reached his half-century, the Red Force spinners maintained a tight grip, slowing the scoring rate. Gore eventually fell to Cariah, edging to the wicketkeeper, triggering a mini-collapse in the Hurricanes’ innings.

Cariah continued his impressive spell by dismissing Hayden Walsh Jr, caught at slip attempting a reverse sweep. The leg-spinner’s five-wicket haul was complete, and he celebrated with a few words directed at the departing batsman, highlighting the intensity of the battle for first innings points. Pierre further tightened the screws, claiming the wickets of Rahkeem Cornwall and Alzarri Joseph before lunch, leaving the Hurricanes reeling at 416 for 8, still trailing by 113 runs. The Red Force were firmly in control, poised to secure a significant first-innings lead.

After the lunch break, Pierre completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Jahmar Hamilton and Daniel Doram, firmly sealing the first innings advantage for the Red Force. The Hurricanes’ resistance was finally broken, and with time running out, the match petered out to a draw. Though the match ended without a decisive result, the Red Force’s dominance, particularly with the ball on the final day, earned them valuable points in the championship. Furthermore, Da Silva’s twin centuries showcased his impressive form and leadership, solidifying his position as a key player for the Red Force.

The match between the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Windsor Park also ended in a draw. CCC, scoring 216 in their first innings, witnessed solid contributions from Damel Evelyn (53) and Johann Jeremiah (40), while Darel Cyrus starred with the ball for the Volcanoes, taking 5 for 71. The Volcanoes responded with 248, led by Gian Benjamin and Kenneth Dember, both scoring 49, with Akeem Jordan bagging a five-wicket haul for CCC. Following on, CCC reached 60 for no loss in their second innings, ensuring the match concluded in a stalemate. Both teams shared points, reflecting the evenly contested nature of the game. The drawn matches underscored the competitive landscape of the West Indies Four-Day Championship, with each team vying for crucial points in their quest for the title.