A brilliant, unbeaten century from left-handed batsman Amir Jangoo (133 not out) has put the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force team in the driving seat in their West Indies Championship Four-Day match against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua.

After the Leewards were bundled out for a paltry 138 in their first innings on April 12, Jangoo and the Red Force batsmen took control of the contest on day two after a probing morning spell from fast bowler Oshane Thomas (three for 82). The spin pair of Bryan Charles (three for nine) and Khary Pierre (three for 34) were the chief destroyers in the Leewards innings, while skipper Joshua Da Silva (62 off 116 balls) and the no-nonsense Terrance Hinds (55 not out off 96) both got past fifty as TT made light work of the home team's total.

The star of the second day's play was clearly Jangoo, though, who got to his century off 174 balls with a single off Leewards captain Justin Greaves. In the midst of a 126-run partnership with Hinds, Jangoo has kicked into overdrive since getting to his 100, adding three sixes to his tally as he took on the spin of Daniel Doram and Rahkeem Cornwall. At stumps on two, the Red Force moved their score to 380 for five, and now have an imposing 242-run lead as they look intent on playing the Leewards out of this contest – the first of a three-match series in a unique West Indies Championship season.

This is the second First-Class century for the 28-year-old Jangoo, whose first century was the mammoth 218 he scored versus the Combined Campuses and Colleges in the 2024 season. With the solitary Test match to his name, Jangoo will be eager to show he has a lot more in store this season.

Earlier in the day's play, Thomas worked up a good head of steam and got opener Cephas Cooper (22) with only the third ball of the day, before also accounting for Jyd Goolie (14). Jangoo and Da Silva put on 109 for the fourth wicket at a critical stage, with veteran opener Evin Lewis adding 21 to his overnight tally before he was bowled by Thomas for 49. The initial word from the commentary team indicated Lewis had retired his innings at the start of day two. However, the Red Force faithful would be happy the aggressive left-hander resumed his innings later in the day, though he ultimately fell one short of a fifty.

With the Red Force scoring a whopping 318 runs on day two, the Leewards will need an improved showing on day three to get anything meaningful from this match.

Summarised Scores:

Leeward Islands Hurricanes: 138 (Jahmar Hamilton 44, Jewel Andrew 27, Keacy Carty 18; Bryan Charles 3/9, Khary Pierre 3/34) vs TT RED FORCE: 380/5 (Amir Jangoo 133 not out, Joshua Da Silva 62, Terrance Hinds 55 not out; Oshane Thomas 3/82, Justin Greaves 1/44). Red Force lead by 242 runs.