Jordan puts Pride in command

Barbados Pride pacer Akeem Jordan defied half-centuries from Alick Athanaze and Barbadian wicketkeeper-batsman Tevyn Walcott and had the best bowling performance on the first day of the fifth round of matches, ending with a career-best spell against the Windward Islands Volcanoes in Trinidad.

Playing at the Queen’s Park Oval, Athanaze hit the top score of 59 and became the first batsman to cross 600 for the season, Walcott made 55, and Ryan John added 41 before the Volcanoes were bowled out for 237 in their first innings about 50 minutes before the scheduled close, narrowly missing out on two batting bonus points.

Jordan bagged five for 44 from 16 overs to lead the demolition, all-rounder Roshon Primus supported with two for 44 from 11 overs, and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican took two for 57 from 19.5 overs. Pride, aiming to beat Volcanoes and claim second, got all three bowling bonus points and 1.6 pace bowling points.

Pride started strongly and reached 48 without loss when stumps were drawn, with Zackary McCaskie unbeaten on 26 and fellow left-handed opener Shayne Moseley not out on 21.

Jordan struck twice in the first half-hour, and the Volcanoes slumped to 17 for three after they won the toss and decided to bat, but Athanaze shared 47 with Sunil Ambris and 98 with Walcott to take them to 162 for five.

Walcott was lbw to Jordan about 40 minutes before tea, triggering a slide in which four wickets—three to the pacer—fell for 21 in the span of 33 balls, and the Volcanoes stumbled to 184 for eight at the break.

John returned after tea and coaxed his side past 200 with some resolute batting before Warrican bowled him to bring the innings to a close.

(CMC)