West Indies 4-Day Championships: Mohamed century leads Red Force resistance on Day 1

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) introduced four new players to the West Indies 4-Day Championships on Wednesday morning, but it was not the best of days for the Guyanese as they began their title defense against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.
At the Conaree Cricket Center in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Red Force won the toss and opted to bat first on Day 1 of their 4-Day encounter with the defending champions. However, Jason Mohamed personified the team’s name, as he was a ‘force’ for the Guyanese bowlers to reckon with, leading the Trinidadian batting with a patient century.

Before the toss was completed, however, Steven Sankar, Raymond Perez, Ronaldo Alimohamed and Neiland Cadogan were handed their GHE caps to boost the already experienced Harpy Eagles players. Captain Kevlon Anderson, Vice-Captain Matthew Nandu, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Veerasammy Permaul, Kevin Sinclair, Ronsford Beaton and Kemol Savory completed the remainder of the XI.
The Harpy Eagles were off to a commendable start, with Ronsford Beaton and Neiland Cadogan working in tandem. By the 9th over, Beaton had claimed the wicket of Cephas Cooper, who went for 8 runs from 26 balls. Then in the 15th, an LBW decision off Beaton’s bowling sent Jyd Goolie back to the dugout for 3 from 16 deliveries.

However, within the space of those strikes, Red Force’s Vikash Mohan retired hurt on 14 off 32 balls, after being struck on the forearm by Ronaldo Alimohamed. Mohan’s apparent injury saw the introduction of the experienced Jason Mohamed, who played a patient hand to steady the ship for the Trinidadians.
Amir Jangoo came and went for 27 off 58 balls, after playing one straight into the hands of Raymond Perez at forward short. However, it was the fourth-wicket partnership that proved magical for the Red Force, with Mohamed and Tion Webster piling on 115 runs between them.
Webster eventually fell right after reaching his half century, while Mohamed pressed on to complete his 12th first-class century in 226 balls, consisting of 11 boundaries.

Webster’s wicket brought back Mohan into the mix, but two deliveries after the Harpy Eagles accepted the new ball in the 82nd over, play was suspended due to bad light.
Mohamed remained unbeaten on 100 from 228 deliveries, while Mohan will resume Day 2 today on 20 off 70 balls.
Beaton claimed 2-39 from 12 overs, while Veerasammy Permaul picked up the other two wickets for 43 runs in 26 overs. The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will resume Day 2 on 215-4.