At the end of two days of action in the West Indies Championship second-round fixture between Leeward Islands Hurricanes and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, there have remarkably been three six-wicket hauls claimed by fast bowlers.

Today, after the Red Force were bowled out for 175 in response to the home team's meagre first-innings total of 131, pacer Jayden Seales followed the example of teammate Anderson Phillip to close the day's play with figures of six for 33. After Seales ripped through the top order to leave Leewards on 43 for five, the pair of Mikyle Louis (73 off 129 balls) and wicket-keeper/batsman Jahmar Hamilton (41 not out off 66) importantly stitched together an 82-run stand to save face for the hosts.

Not only did the pair's fightback save face, but it also helped them erase the 44-run first-innings deficit as their team closed day two on 136 for six. Now carrying a 92-run lead into the third day's play, the Leewards unfortunately will not have the lanky Louis at the crease, as the right-hander became Seales' sixth scalp when he gloved a short ball through to wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva late in the day. Seales bowled many unplayable deliveries today and some wicked short balls too. However, Louis' dismissal should be categorised as an unforced error as he had ample time to evade the climbing delivery. It was a good innings on reflection, but he would feel he should have cashed in after enduring a shaky start with the bat.

Earlier, in the post-lunch session, the Leewards seemed to have no answer for a fired-up Seales, who had opener Kadeem Henry (three) caught in the slip cordon by Evin Lewis, before also accounting for the scalps of Karima Gore (duck), Keacy Carty (two), Jewel Andrew (one) and Justin Greaves (six) in quick succession to record a seventh five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket.

These are currently Seales' best figures in the First-Class arena, and one shouldn't bet against him adding to the wicket column tomorrow.

With ten wickets falling on an eventful day two, it would be easy to forget Seales' contribution with the bat in today's morning session. Having started the day on 85 for six, the Red Force slipped to 131 for nine after losing Da Silva (36), Phillip (12) and Bryan Charles (one). However, Seales (13 off 29) then got stuck in with top-order batsman Jyd Goolie (51 not out), who had initially retired his innings after being struck on the hand by an Oshane Thomas bumper on the opening day. Goolie crucially added 45 to his overnight score, and he and Seales put on 44 for the last wicket, before Leewards debutant Kelvin Pitman induced an edge to complete his own six-wicket haul.

Pitman finished with six for 52, and the pendulum appeared to be swinging in the Leewards' favour before the menacing Seales left his mark to dismantle the home team's top and middle order.

There are still two days left in the fixture, but one suspects this game could well finish on the third day.

Summarised Scores:

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES - 131 (Karima Gore 57, Jeremiah Louis 19; Anderson Phillip 6/38, Jayden Seales 3/33) & 136/6 (Mikyle Louis 76, Jahmar Hamilton 41 not out; J Seales 6/33) vs TT RED FORCE - 175 (Jyd Goolie 51, Joshua Da Silva 36; Kelvin Pitman 6/52, Oshane Thomas 3/52). Leewards lead by 92 runs.