Dream Red Force debut for Primus

Barbadian Primus, playing in his first match for the TT Red Force, seemed right at home recording impressive figures of six overs, one maiden, 30 runs and six wickets to dismiss the Windward Islands for a dismal 142 while batting first. In reply, TT got to 41 without loss at tea with Kyle Hope on 32 and Jeremy Solozano on eight. It could have been worst for the visitors as the Windwards were 50/8 at one stage. Veteran left-handed opener Devon Smith batted the entire innings as he was left stranded on an unbeaten 86, while Delorn Johnson contributed a valuable 38. Smith and Johnson combined for a ninth wicket partnership of 73.

Primus utilised the pink ball to great effect getting a lot of bounce of the surface that left the Windward Islands batsmen confused.

After fast bowlers Sheldon Cottrell and Marlon Richards grabbed one wicket apiece, Primus took over, sending batsmen back to the pavilion in quick succession. Narsingh Deonarine, who represented the Red Force last season, was the first batsman undone by Primus after being surprised with the bounce as the ball found the edge and ballooned in the air and the gully fielder took a simple catch.

Primus got another scalp as Sunil Ambris edged one and the first slip fielder Hope caught it on his second attempt. Windwards were now in trouble on 42/4.

It was soon 42/6 as Kavem Hodge and Liam Sebastian both fell for duck in consecutive deliveries to Primus.

While wickets fell around him, Smith was relatively unfazed as he continued to play his shots.

Shortly after the visitors got to 50, Shane Shillingford fell for duck when he edged one to first slip fielder Hope to give Primus his five-wicket haul in less than five overs.

It was two wickets in two deliveries for Primus as Mervin Matthew was trapped leg before to give Primus his sixth wicket.

Johnson came to the middle and showed aggression, hitting Primus for two sixes in one over, the first was over long off and the other over long on.

Just before lunch, Smith brought up his 50 with a single as the Windwards progressed to 87/8 at the first interval with Smith on 51 and Johnson on 24.

Smith and Johnson, batting fairly comfortably after the break, got the Windwards past 100.

Johnson continued to show aggression, striking leg spinner Imran Khan for a six over long on, but Khan had the last laugh as Johnson was bowled attempting another big hit.

Kenroy Peters (five) could not hang on long enough for Smith to get to his century as the opener was left stranded 14 short of another first class century. Smith faced 131 balls and struck 11 fours.