BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Barbados captain Shai Hope stroked a masterful 101 to earn the hosts first innings points over Windward Islands as marred the second day of the Regional Under-19 three-day first round match here yesterday. Hope, who was unbeaten 44 at the close of the first day, was made to endure a nervous wait in the 90s before attaining the coveted landmark after more than four hours occupation of the crease during which he stroked nine boundaries off the 203 balls faced.
The 18 year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was eventually dismissed for 101 with his team already past the 206 made by the Windwards who were 32 for one in their second innings at the close at Queen’s Park.
With more than two hours play lost due to three stoppages for rain, the Barbadians declared their first innings at 278 for eight before returning to grab the wicket of Windwards’ opening bat Gidron Pope in the first over.
Hope (44) and Kemar Brathwaite (40), unbeaten overnight, took their third wicket partnership to 110 before the latter missed an arm ball from left-arm spinner Larry Edward to be bowled off-stump for 51.
Brathwaite’s knock came off 130 balls and contained five fours in 153 minutes batting.
Edward, the best bowler on show for the Windwards, returned figures of two for 53 from 28 overs but off-spinner Kenneth Dember (2-43) got the prized scalp of Hope after play had been held up by more than hour in the first session.
More rain after the tea break resulted in the loss of nearly an hour and the Barbadians, with a lead of 72 on first innings, opted for the declaration at the fall of Darnell Greenidge (28) and Aaron Jones (15) who fell in quick succession.
Greenidge struck with his fifth delivery but Windwards skipper Jerlani Robinson and opener Keon George weathered the Barbadians’ barrage until the umpires halted play due to fading light.
Robinson, who impressed in the first innings with 75, was unbeaten on 21 at the end while George will resume the final day 10 not out.