BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Opener Kyle Corbin hit his 16th first class half-century and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich was eyeing his third regional hundred, as Barbados Pride took command of their eighth round WICB PCL contest against Leeward Islands Hurricanes here yesterday.

At the close of yesterday’s second day at Warner Park, Barbados were out front on 268 for six, in reply to the Leewards’ 215 – a lead of 53 runs on first innings.
Their progress was owed to Corbin’s top score of 75, with Dowrich finishing the day on 65 not out. Kevin Stoute carved out a half-century of his own, hitting 63 while Roston Chase scored 25 and captain Kraigg Brathwaite, 21.
Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall has been the Leewards’ best bowler with three for 57.
Resuming the day 27 without loss, Barbados lost three quick wickets for 27 runs, to slump to 54 for three.
Brathwaite fell in the day’s third over, playing around a delivery from seamer Gavin Tonge to be lbw at 34 for one. Corbin and the out-of-form Kirk Edwards added 20 before Barbados lost two wickets in successive overs from Cornwall, with the score on 54.
Edwards had made nine from 29 balls when he missed a straight delivery and was lbw, and Shai Hope departed seven balls later without scoring, to a catch at leg slip by captain Devon Thomas after failing to keep down one that bounced and turned.
Barbados then benefitted from three successive half-century partnerships as their middle order clicked.
Corbin was at the centre of the first two, putting on 51 for the fourth wicket with Chase and a further 55 for the fifth wicket with Dowrich.
Overall, the right-handed Corbin faced 200 balls, in 4-1/4 hours at the crease and struck seven fours and two sixes. He was fifth out, taken by wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton diving to his right off seamer Quinton Boatswain.
Still tentatively poised 160 for five at that stage, Dowrich and Stoute combined to add 108 for the sixth wicket and stamp Barbados’ authority on the contest.
Dowrich has so far hit six fours off 151 balls while Stoute faced 121 balls in 2-3/4 hours, and counted seven fours and a six.
Stoute perished in the day’s final over, pushing forward to Cornwall and gloving a catch to the close-in fielder.