ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and fellow opener Omar Phillips stroked half-centuries as Barbados forced Leeward Islands against the ropes on the opening day of their final round encounter in the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesterday.

At the close at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Barbados were 167 for one in reply to Leewards’ paltry first-innings score of 94, with Brathwaite unbeaten on 73.
He posted 146 for the first wicket with left-hander Omar Phillips who stroked an attractive 79, before perishing late in the final session.
Earlier, off-spinner Ashley Nurse captured four for 24 to undermine the Leewards after they opted to bat first.
Seamer Jonathan Carter (2-8) and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (2-8) chipped in with two wickets apiece as the Leewards, positioned at 49 for two at one stage, lost their last eight wickets for 45 runs to be dismissed half-hour after lunch.
As he did in the last match, wicketkeeper Devon Thomas propped up the innings with a top score of 30 but no other batsmen reached 20.
The Leewards lost Javier Liburd for four with the score on nine, caught at second slip off fast bowler Fidel Edwards and Orlando Peters followed five runs later for three, nicking seamer Kevin Stoute behind.
Thomas and captain Kieran Powell (16) seemed to be repairing the innings in a 35-run, third-wicket stand before Powell cut Carter to Shai Hope at point.
When Thomas, who scored at a run-a-ball and struck seven fours, edged a cut off Nurse, the Leewards were 53 for four and never recovered.
Brathwaite and Phillips then pressed home Barbados’ advantage in a strong opening stand.
The right-handed Brathwaite has so far faced 151 balls in three hours and 24 minutes at the crease, and hit eight fours while Phillips carved out 12 boundaries in an innings needing 133 balls and 159 minutes.