THIRD PLACE SuperCentre Spartan are 45 runs away from first innings lead against lowly E.S.A. Field Pickwick on a rain shortened opening day of their LIME Eighth series Division One cricket match.
Despite the loss of 45 overs during the day due to rain and a soft run-up at the northern end, the Parkites bundled out Pickwick for a paltry 61. At the close the visitors fought back to have the home team on 17 for two in reply.
Pickwick were in early trouble after winning the toss and batting in excellent batting conditions. By the time the rains came after 43 minutes’ play, Pickwick were in deep strife at 23 for five.
The early damage was caused by pacer Andre Gill (2-17) and slow bowler Reydon Toppin (3-7). Toppin dismissed young Barbados Under-19 opener Clint St Hill, veteran Ahmed Proverbs and all-rounder Ryan Layne with full tosses.
St Hill was smartly stumped down the leg side by Spartan skipper and wicketkeeper Jabbar Niles, while Proverbs and Layne chipped full tosses to short midwicket. Left-hander George Harris and Kyle Hope were dismissed in Gill’s first spell.
After tea, the Spartan spinners ripped through the Pickwick lower order with only Pickwick’s captain Rondelle Yearwood offering any resistance to be ninth out for 20.
Left-arm spinner Andre Marshall and leg-spinner Shamarh Brooks both claimed two wickets.
In overcast conditions, the Parkites lost Brooks and Rashidi Boucher to the nagging seam bowling of Corey Yearwood.