PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Former West Indies under-19 batsman Jyd Goolie made his case for a place in Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Force squad for next year’s Regional Super50 with a sharp hundred in this second test match on Friday.
The 23-year-old, who played a key role in winning the West Indies from the Youth World Cup four years ago, hit 122 of 97 unbeaten deliveries in a lost case to the Imran Khan XI that went under. 50 runs to the Denesh Ramdin XI in search of 277 at Brian Lara Stadium.
Goolie, a left-hander, believed nine fours and seven sixes to lead Imran Khan XI’s run hunt, and was backed by the other left-handed opener, Jeremy Solozano, with 25.
However, the middle order fell badly as West Indies batsman Jason Mohammed (9), former Young Windies stroke maker Kirstan Kallicharan (1) and experienced Steven Katwaroo (9) all failed, leaving the Imran Khan XI long after 226 for seven.
Spinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar (2-10), leg spinner Isaiah Rajah (2-38) and controller Anderson Phillip (2-42) all finished with two wickets each.
Goolie will still be fresh in the minds of national selectors following his first-class debut before getting married in the final series of matches at the Regional Four-Day Championship last March, before the COVID-19 pandemic ends the competition in suddenly.
His 128 innings against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Stadium gave Red Force a decisive win and 84 runs.
Goolie’s cant on Friday was one of two as Tion Webster tasted 127 for XI Ramdin who reached 276 for six in a game that was reduced to 40 overs due to rain.
Webster, who appeared for Red Force in the Regional Super50 last year, struck out seven fours and eight sixes in a sweeping 96-ball beat.
The right wing managed to get 180 for the first wicket with Keagan Simmons whose 85 came from 92 balls and which included six fours.
Sending his leg breaks down, Goolie was among the wickets with two for 17 while spinner Bryan Charles finished with two for 55.
The test matches are being prepared for the Regional Super50 next February.