constantine's main objective on the 1928 tour was to secure a contract to play cricket professionally in england. james wrote that constantine "had revolted against the revolting contrast between his first-class status as a cricketer and his third-class status as a man ... the restraints imposed upon him by social conditions in the west indies had become intolerable and he decided to stand them no longer." according to james, constantine would never have left trinidad had he been able to live with "honour [and] a little profit". in the tour's opening first-class match, against derbyshire, constantine began his second innings when the west indians needed 40 runs to win; in seven scoring shots, constantine hit 31 runs and took the team to a two-wicket victory. in the following match he scored his maiden first-class century, 130 in 90 minutes, against essex.