KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Shamarh Brooks stroked his second consecutive hundred but Barbados Pride lost a clatter of wickets in the final hour, to throw away some of their control against Jamaica Franchise, on the opening day of their final round match in the WICB PCL here yesterday.The right-hander hit exactly 100 as Barbados, opting for first knock at Sabina Park, closed the day on 286 for eight, with support coming from Shai Hope who got 59, opener Omar Phillips who hit 34 and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich who chipped in with 33, as Barbados cruised to 251 for four at one stage during the final session before losing four quick wickets for 35 runs.
Former Young West Indies pacer Marquino Mindley was the main destroyer, taking four for 36 while his new ball partner Jason Dawes finished with two for 45.
Barbados were off to a horrible start when they lost captain and main run-getter Kraigg Brathwaite, caught at the wicket off the final ball of the opening over bowled by Mindley, but Hope and Phillips combined to repair the damage with a second wicket partnership of 92, which took Barbados to lunch at 66 for one.
The right-handed Hope, who hit a double century against Windward Islands Volcanoes in the last round, struck five fours off 149 balls in just under 3-1/2 hours at the crease, while Phillips hit four fours off 136 balls in 159 minutes, before falling to Mindley, and Hope and Brooks added a further 36 before Hope was sent on his way, lbw to Mindley.
The 26-year-old Brooks then anchored two key partnerships to put Barbados in control. He put on 40 with Roston Chase who scored 13 and then added 83 for the fifth with Dowrich.
Brooks, in only his second match of the season, faced 162 deliveries in 197 minutes and counted nine fours and a six. The knock was his second first class hundred, however, Brooks and Dowrich were among the late wickets to fall, with Dowrich stumped off off-spinner Ramaal Lewis and Brooks taken behind off Mindley with the second new ball.