Barbados Pride and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force both ended day one of the third round of matches in the West Indies Championship in strong positions.
Pride posted 320/5 against the Jamaica Scorpions, and Red Force posted 260/3 in their rain-shortened contest against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Harpy Eagles and Windward Islands Volcanoes were evenly matched, sharing honors at the close of play.
At the Antigua Recreation Ground, unbeaten half-centuries from captain Joshua Da Silva and Amir Jangoo put the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in control on day one against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
Despite a rain delay and early setbacks, including Evin Lewis retiring hurt and quick wickets from Oshane Thomas, the Red Force eventually recovered from 115/3.
Da Silva (72) and Jangoo (69) combined in an unbroken 132-run partnership with both batters smacking eight fours each, to guide their team to 247/3 at stumps.
Thomas has taken 2-44 with the ball for the Hurricanes.
Pride closed day 1 on 346-5
At Sabina Park in Jamaica, Barbados Pride made a strong start in their must-win match against the Jamaica Scorpions, ending day one on 346/5.
Half-centuries from Roston Chase (82), Kraigg Brathwaite (74), and Jonathan Drakes (94) led the charge, despite a mid-session collapse.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Shayne Moseley gave them a solid opening partnership of 55 runs before Moseley was run out by Marquino Mindley for 23.
Jonathan Drakes, together with his skipper, contributed a partnership of 145 runs before Odean Smith got the wicket of Braithwaite. Seven runs later, Drake was stumped off the bowling of offspinner Brad Barnes to leave the score 207 for three.
The in-form Kevin Wickham was caught and bowled by Barnes for just five, and Khari Campbell trapped Kyle Mayers lbw for one.
After slipping to 254/5, Chase and Leniko Boucher (40) combined in an unbeaten 92-run stand to restore control and put Barbados in a commanding position.
Barnes has been the Scorpion’s best bowler so far with 2-56.
