MIDDLE-order batsman Yannick Ottley was left stranded on an unbeaten 99 but his brilliant effort ensured Trinidad & Tobago Red Force snatched first innings points from the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros-Islet, St. Lucia yesterday.Ottley featured in two important face-saving partnerships as T&T Red Force were dismissed for 382 just before the close of play in reply to the Volcanoes 306 all out, taking an important first innings lead of 76.
The Volcanoes openers were left to negotiate three overs before the close of play and they did so successfully to be two without loss, 74 runs in arrears with all their second innings wickets intact.
Ottley, who struck 12 fours, shared a sixth wicket stand of 76 with Stephen Katwaroo (25) after T&T Red Force were shakily placed at 182 for five, losing the wickets of the overnight pair of Narsingh Deonarine who added two to his overnight 58 and Yannick Cariah who carried his overnight 58 to 70.
The battle for first innings lead was still in the balance as T&T Red Force slumped to 279 for eight. However, Ottley found a useful ally in fast bowler Marlon Richards as the two added a vital 86 for the ninth wicket with Richards hitting his second half-century of the season, following up on the one he scored against Guyana Jaguars.
Richards’ 60 included five towering sixes and a four.
Ottley was in sight of a well-deserved century but last man U. Muhhamed (one) was trapped LBW to off-spinner Liam Sebastien, leaving the middle-order batsman high and dry on 99.
Fast bowler Kevin McLean finished with four for 66 from 17 overs, Shane Shillingford three for 109 from 42 and Kenroy Peters two for 44 from 24.