… but batsmen falter again
ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad (CMC) – Jamaica bowled themselves back into contention in limiting Barbados to a first-innings lead of 67, but their batsmen failed to fire for the second time leaving the title-holders with a tall order to win their top-of-the-table sixth round, WICB first class championship clash.
Facing a daunting prospect of a huge lead with Barbados perched on 113 for one overnight, Jamaica’s bowlers sent Barbados tumbling for 293 on the stroke of tea on the second day here yesterday, claiming the last nine wickets for 180 runs at the Frank Worrell Memorial Ground.
Captain Tamar Lambert led the way with three for 53 with his off-spin while there were two wickets apiece for part-time leg-spinner Nkrumah Bonner (2-28) and fast bowler Andrew Richardson (2-35).
Opener Dale Richards top-scored with 67, but fell early in the day while Sulieman Benn contributed a forthright, vital 54 off 61 balls.
Jamaica then slumped to 65 for four in their second innings, still needing two runs to erase the deficit.
Left-arm pacer Pedro Collins claimed two for 21 while there was a wicket apiece for left-arm spinner Benn (1-14) and pacer Corey Edwards (1-8).
Jamaica had an encouraging start to the day as both overnight batsmen fell in quick succession to the part-time leg-spinner Bonner.
Left-handed Jason Haynes played back and was plumb lbw for 24 while Richards seemed unlucky to be given out to a deflected leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh at 126 for three.
Captain Ryan Hinds and Kirk Edwards both survived early chances to share a stand of 63 for the fourth wicket to revive the Bajans.
Hinds, dropped badly at long-off by Odean Brown off Lambert when just four, struck five boundaries off 59 balls. He eventually miscued an on-drive at Richardson and was caught at midwicket.
Jamaica were back in it when Kevin Stoute (6) was bowled by a David Bernard inducker on the stroke of lunch at 196 for five and Barbados dipped to 200 for six soon after the break as Richardson grabbed a return catch from a driving Kirk Edwards.
Edwards, mis-stumped by Baugh off Lambert when two, hit four fours off 94 deliveries.
Benn, typically aggressive with five fours and a six off 61 deliveries, put together a crucial partnership of 52 with Shane Dowrich to pilot his side to the lead. Dowrich made just nine before he snuck Jason Dawes to second slip where Parchment pouched a fine, two-handed catch.
Tino Best blasted two straight sixes and two fours in a cameo innings of 25 that extended the Bajans’ advantage but once he ran himself out, the innings subsided swiftly as the last three wickets fell for nine runs.
Collins prodded to short leg off Lambert, who then bowled a swiping Benn.
Collins quickly returned to damage Jamaica with two early scalps, with Danza Hyatt (2) and Donovan Pagon (8) both dismissed driving at the left-armer. Hyatt gave a catch to Dowrich and Pagon diverted to Benn at second slip.
Brenton Parchment and Bonner patiently added 27 runs before two more wickets just before the close put Jamaica further behind.
Bonner drove loosely at Corey Edwards and lofted a catch to mid-off where Best grabbed a fine catch. Parchment, after compiling 28 off 79 balls, edged to gully off Benn.
Lambert (four not out) and Baugh (11 not out) survived to the close.