GROS-ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – Leeward Islands again failed to ease worries about their batting, and were on the verge of conceding a first innings lead to Barbados, and being asked to follow-on in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge yesterday. After Barbados declared their first innings on 350 for six about half-hour before the scheduled lunch interval, Leewards subsided to 186 for nine at the close on the rain-affected second day of their second round match at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
Barbados will be looking to claim the last Leewards wicket before their opponents can score 15 more runs to avoid the follow-on.
Several Leewards’ batsmen – led by Akeem Saunders’ 47 – got starts, but no one carried on for a big score.
Darren Benta supported with 39, Hayden Walsh Jr added 29, and Leewards captain Adelvin Phillips gathered 27.
Fast bowler Justin Greaves collected three wickets for 36 runs from 12 overs to lead the Barbados bowling, while spinners Shakeem Wilkinson and Jomel Warrican snared two scalps apiece.
Leewards were 11 without loss at lunch, but batted confidently to reach 111 for three at tea.
They suffered an early setback, when Rakeem Cornwall was lbw to Rico Depeiza for seven, but Benta shared two useful stands with Shane Burton and Saunders before he was lbw to Roston Chase to leave Leewards 87 for three.
After tea, Leewards lost their way terribly in a final session extended to compensate for some of the 85 minutes lost to the inclement weather.
Wickets fell at regular intervals, and there were no significant partnerships between their batsmen to prop-up the batting.
Earlier, Dario Cummins made 53 and Greaves was left not out on 31, after Barbados resumed from their overnight total of 290 for six, and chased quick runs to hasten the declaration.
Barbados started the match tied for second with Trinidad & Tobago on six points, and Leewards were last with no points.
Barbados drew with Windward Islands in the opening round, when the Leewards slumped to an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Guyana.