BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies A batsman Jonathan Carter agonisingly missed out on a maiden first class century yesterday as the clash between Barbados and Combined Campuses and Colleges remained tantalising poised, heading into today’s third day. The left-hander fell for 99, an innings that lifted Barbados to 195 all out in their second innings and set CCC 173 to win their final round Regional First Class Championship encounter at the 3Ws Oval.
At the close of the second day, CCC had reached 36 for one, still 137 runs adrift of their fourth win of the season.
Resuming the day on 17 for two, Barbados needed a big innings to stay alive in the match and found it through Carter.
Captain Ryan Hinds (15) perished early in the day when he offered no stroke to seamer Kevin McClean (2-25) and was bowled at 26 for three but Carter and opener Kraigg Brathwaite (29) added 89 for the fourth wicket to revive the innings.
Carter played beautifully, striking 11 fours and a six off 180 balls in 218 minutes at the crease while the unflappable Brathwaite struck two fours in nearly three hours batting.
When the latter was lbw to off-spinner Ryan Austin (2-42), the innings collapsed again as the last six wickets fell for 80 runs, with left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh finishing with four for 50.
Fast bowler Carlos Brathwaite claimed two for 32 and was the one who finally prised out Carter, bowled, at 170 for six.
Resurgent West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards then ensured the day ended with even more drama when he trapped CCC opener Romel Currency lbw for one at three for one.
Some 31 wickets have already fallen in just two days.