THE Windward Islands Volcanoes and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force were locked in a fierce battle for first- innings lead at the end of the second day of their four-day regional encounter at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia.Led by an unbeaten 102-run, second- wicket partnership between Yannick Carriah and Narsingh Deonarine, T&T Red Force were 153 for two at the close of play, replying to the Volcanoes 306 all out, exactly 153 from their opponents first innings score.
Both Cariah and Deonarine are unbeaten on 58, the latter striking four fours and the latter two sixes.
The visiting team suffered a setback, losing the scalps of openers Jeremy Solozano (two) and Kyle Hope (31) both to fast bowler Kevin McLean before Cariah and Deonarine staged their fightback.
Earlier, Shane Shillingford, with an attacking 64 which included four fours and four sixes and Mervin Matthew (48) with seven fours had bolstered the Volcanoes lower-order after they had resumed at the overnight 207 for six.
Andre Fletcher hit 63 on the opening day. Leg-spinner Imran Khan took three for 100 from 41 overs, while Deonarine finished with two for 29.