ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Leg-spinner Imran Khan’s five-wicket haul led Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to a 172-run crushing of Windward Islands Volcanoes here, yesterday, as they hauled themselves off the bottom of the Regional four-day standings.
Set an improbable 375 for victory at the National Stadium, Volcanoes folded for 202 in their second innings with the 32-year-old Khan picking up five for 67 – his 16th five-wicket haul in first class cricket.
He received great support from off-spinner Bryan Charles with four for 79 in only his second first class game and second in two years.
Veteran opener Devon Smith failed to convert his overnight 41 into a score of substance, falling for 49 and it was left to Shane Shillingford with 46 to give the total some respectability.
Rookie Taryck Gabriel added just eight to his overnight 24 while wicketkeeper Sunil Ambris got 24.
Resuming the final morning of the sixth round clash on 68 for one, Smith and Gabriel extended their second-wicket stand to 80 before being separated, when Gabriel departed in the 10th over.
His dismissal set in train the slide which saw three wickets fall for 10 runs in the space of 18 deliveries.
Ambris then propped up the innings in a 36-run fourth-wicket stand with captain Liam Sebastien (21) but Khan struck just as the partnership was threatening, removing both batsmen in successive overs.
Tottering on 134 for six at lunch, Volcanoes were lifted afterwards by Shillingford who went on the attack, smashing two fours and four sixes in a 65-ball knock.
He put on 34 for the eighth wicket with Delorn Johnson (5) but once they were separated, Red Force quickly wrapped up the tail.