Trinidad and Tobago Red Force opened their campaign in the West Indies Championship with emphatic authority, dismantling the Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 271 runs inside three days in St John’s.
It was the first victory of the season, and it arrived with overwhelming force.
At Coolidge Cricket Ground, the match turned decisively on a towering, unbeaten fifth-wicket stand between Amir Jangoo and Terrance Hinds.
Resuming on 380 for five, Red Force surged to 507 without further loss before declaring, Jangoo unbeaten on a magnificent 203 and Hinds anchoring the effort with a composed 100.
Jangoo’s innings, his second double century in first-class cricket, came off 287 balls and featured 16 fours and five sixes. Hinds complemented him perfectly, striking five fours and five sixes in a 195-ball stay that marked his second career century.
The Hurricanes, under captain Justin Greaves, simply had no answer. Six bowlers were deployed, none able to break the partnership that ultimately defined the match.
Collapse complete: Hurricanes crumble under pressure
Trailing by a daunting 369 runs after the first innings, the Hurricanes needed resilience. What followed instead was another dramatic collapse.
Their second innings lasted barely long enough to delay the inevitable, bundled out for just 98, with only two batters reaching double figures.
The early damage was inflicted by Jayden Seales, who removed Mikyle Louis cheaply. Anderson Phillip then struck twice in quick succession, leaving the Hurricanes reeling at six for three.
A brief 35-run stand between Keacy Carty and Greaves offered resistance, but once left-arm spinner Khary Pierre trapped Carty lbw for eight, the innings unraveled rapidly.
Lower-order contributions proved fleeting, Jahmar Hamilton (3), Jeremiah Louis (4), Rahkeem Cornwall (0), and Nathan Edward (4) all departed quickly as the score slumped to 68 for eight.
Greaves stood alone, unbeaten on 56 from 128 balls, sharing a brief partnership with Daniel Doram (16), but the end came swiftly.
Pierre led the demolition with 4 for 37, supported by Bryan Charles (2-15) and Phillip (2-18), as Red Force wrapped up a resounding victory.
Harpy Eagles turn the tide in Antigua
Across the island at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles edged closer to victory in a tightly contested battle against the Windward Islands Volcanoes.
After conceding a slim first-innings deficit of 22 runs, bowled out for 264, the Harpy Eagles responded decisively with the ball.
Gudakesh Motie spearheaded the fightback with a four-wicket haul, dismantling the Volcanoes’ second innings alongside fellow spinner Veerasammy Permaul.
Support came from seamers Keemo Paul and Nial Smith, as the Volcanoes were dismissed for 209.
Chase set, advantage secured
Set a target of 231 for victory, the Harpy Eagles closed the day at 38 for one, requiring a further 194 runs on the final day.
After a match marked by shifting momentum, the defending champions now hold the advantage, and the opportunity to strike the opening blow of their title defense.
While Red Force delivered a statement of dominance, the Harpy Eagles’ measured pursuit underscores a different kind of control, calculated, patient, and within reach.
As the Championship gathers pace, one message is already clear: early momentum may prove decisive.
