With the game still in the balance on the final day, Bryan Charles took matters into his own hands, as he produced a masterful spell of off-spin bowling to guide Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to a 125-run victory over West Indies Academy in their fourth-round West Indies Championship clash at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on Saturday.
Charles' stunning 6-47 dismantled the Academy’s batting lineup as they crumbled to 152 all out, well short of their 278-run target. It was expected to be a tense battle after Red Force, who started the day at 218-9, managed only 23 more runs in the morning session, setting up what seemed like a potentially tricky chase. But Charles made sure there was no last-day drama as he secured his second-best first-class bowling figures in just 13.3 overs.
Scores: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 304 & 241; West Indies Academy 268 & 152
The Academy, fresh off a solid first-innings total of 268, would have fancied their chances of mounting a serious challenge. However, from the moment Charles got his hands on the ball, their hopes faded quickly.
In fact, the collapse started early as Charles and pace bowler Anderson Phillip ripped through the top and middle order. Charles struck first, removing Mbeki Joseph (14), Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (seven), and Jordan Johnson (zero), while Phillip accounted for Justin Jagessar (four) and Rivaldo Clarke (one). Captain Ackeem Auguste, who offered the lone resistance at the top with 30, was caught behind off Joshua James, and the Academy found themselves reeling at 77-6.
First-innings century-maker Joshua Bishop would have also been hoping to repeat his heroics, but his stay was short-lived on this occasion as Jayden Seales bowled him for 12 with the score at 79-7.
With the game all but lost, Johann Layne provided some late entertainment, smashing three sixes and a four in a 14-ball cameo worth 24, before Charles sent him packing with a well-disguised straighter delivery.
Still, the Academy refused to fold quietly. Jediah Blades contributed 24 off 21 balls, including three sixes in a 38-run ninth-wicket stand with Nathan Edward (16 not out), but they only briefly delayed the inevitable.
The 29-year-old Charles struck again, removing Blades before sealing the game when he had Kelvin Pitman (five) caught behind in what was another reminder of his match-winning abilities.
His performance was supported by Phillip (2-21), while Seales (1-48) and James (1-11) played their part in keeping the pressure on.
With the win, Red Force remain second on the standing with 77.8 points, still just behind Guyana Harpy Eagles (81.2 points), while Barbados Pride (73.0 points) remain third. Leeward Islands Hurricane (54.4 points), Windward Islands Volcanoes (42.0 points), Jamaica Scorpions (35.6 points), Combined Campuses and Colleges (20.6 points), and West Indies Academy (19.8 points) complete the table.