Barbados take early lead over Jamaica

The Signia Globe Financial Inc. Barbados team are off to a fantastic start in defence of their West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-17 2-Day Championship. The Bajan boys lead by 85 runs at close of play on Wednesday, as they are in total command over Jamaica after Day 1 of their opening match.

Winning the toss and electing to field at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados’ bowlers began rather slowly, as the Jamaican openers were looking solid out in the middle.

With the score on 37, R’Jai Gittens made the first breakthrough, when he had Tyriek Bryan caught by Jakeem Pollard for 10.

Savio Jones, the other opening batter, was then removed to make it 39-2. Jones was caught by Xaundre Baptiste for 16 off the bowling of Damani Roach.

Zachary Carter was able to get consecutive wickets with his spin, Odane Binns (8), and Demarco Scott (10), taking the score to 62-4.

Baptiste then picked up his lone wicket, that of David Dewar for 5, 64-5.

The match was about to swing fully in favour of the Bajan boys as fast bowler Shaquan Belle was introduced into the attack. Belle picked up the next four wickets as the score went from 84-5 to 95-9. His last wicket was that of top scorer Pajay Nelson, with 21 in 22 balls.

The final wicket fell when Adrian Silvera was caught by Belle, bowled by Roach, to end the Jamaican innings on 103.

Belle picked up 4-12 in 6 overs, Roach 2-11 in 6.4 overs, and Carter 2-14 in 8 overs.

The lads from Barbados opened their batting with Carter and Micah Greenidge. They took the score to 24 before losing Carter for 14. Greenidge retired hurt for 29 in 57 balls, with the score on 86.

Captain Joshua Dorne struck a well played 51 in 65 balls with six fours and a six before he was LBW (100-2)

Joshua Branch, batting at number four, was joined at the crease by Kevion Newton. They took the total to 150 before Newton, the third wicket to fall, was out for 11.

Wicketkeeper/batter Gadson Bowens wasn’t able to add much to the total, as he was out caught for five, 162-4.

Branch, the day’s top scorer, was not out on 59. Along with Belle, 11, he was able to take the lead up to 85 by the close of play, with a score of 189-4.

After securing first innings points, Barbados will be hoping to gain batting points early on Day 2 Thursday. Prospects are looking good for them to force a victory in their opening game of the competition.

In other scores: 

• Trinidad & Tobago 202
• Guyana 94-4
• Toss- Guyana

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• Windward Islands 134
• Leeward Islands 64
• Toss- Windwards

(ZM)