Greaves’ record-breaking century leads Hurricanes past Red Force

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

JUSTIN GREAVES became the first West Indian to score three consecutive List A centuries, and his historic performance helped the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to an impressive seven-wicket win over the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the Regional Super50 tournament on Sunday.

Greaves struck a masterful, unbeaten 151 from just 129 balls at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, as the Hurricanes chased down the Red Force’s imposing 291 for six to reach 292 for three in 47.3 overs.

The innings, which marked Greaves’ fourth List A century, followed scores of 111 not out against the West Indies Academy and 112 against the Barbados Pride.

First defeat in three games

Greaves’ performance sent the Red Force tumbling to their first defeat in three games, and helped the Hurricanes bounce back from their loss to the Pride in the last round.

It was a truly memorable innings from the 30-year-old Barbadian, who struck 13 fours to all parts of the ground.

He shared a 124-run opening stand in under 21 overs with Mikyle Louis, who scored 57 from 67 balls, to give the Hurricanes a whirlwind start.

Greaves then shared successive half-century partnerships in adding 60 with Chesney Hughes, who made 33 from 52 balls, and then 70 with Karima Gore.

When Gore was bowled by pacer Terrance Hinds for 19 from 22 balls to leave the score 256 for three in the 44th over, the Hurricanes still required another 36 runs.

But Jahmar Hamilton scored 25 off just 16 balls and, together with Greaves, steered the Hurricanes to an improbable win with 15 balls remaining.

Earlier, Amir Jangoo fell just short of a century as the Red Force’s top order propelled them to 291 for six from their 50 overs.

Despite losing the early wicket of Kjorn Ottley for one, Tion Webster and Jangoo steadied the innings in a second-wicket partnership of 112.

And, when Webster was eventually dismissed, bowled by Rahkeem Cornwall for 60, Jangoo teamed up with Jason Mohammed to add 93 and put the Red Force in line to post a big total.

Jangoo lost his wicket to Daniel Doram for 96, but Mohammed ensured the Red Force would finish with a flourish, as his unbeaten 79 from 72 balls helped them pummel 86 runs from the final 10 overs.

Fast bowler Oshane Thomas took 2-54 from his eight overs for the Hurricanes.