WEST INDIES’ fast bowler Fidel Edwards made his first appearance yesterday on the final day of the opening Barbados trial match at St Catherine’s Social and Sports Club, Bayfield, St Philip which ended in a high-scoring draw.
After not playing on the first three days, Edwards got a chance to bowl in the second innings of Jason Holder’s team and delivered ten wicketless overs for 17 runs in two spells without generating any express pace on the docile pitch, where batsmen enjoyed themselves throughout the match.
Edwards never really extended himself in a six-over new ball spell from the south before returning for a second burst from the north where he had two maidens in four overs for just three runs.
Teenager Raymon Reifer sustained his fine form with an unbeaten 44 off 81 balls with four fours and two sixes off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican while Jason Greene was on 16 not out as Holder’s XI reached 152 for three in their second innings when the match ended.
His Sagicor UWI teammate Omar Phillips fell for 47, three runs short of a half-century when he gave off-spinner Jason Smith a low return catch.
Phillips batted for 125 minutes, striking four fours and a lofted straight six off pacer Miguel Cummins, who delivered nine straight overs of medium-fast bowling after lunch to add to his two before the interval, while conceding 39 runs.
Kyle Mayers got a wicket with his first ball, producing an outswinger which opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who made 16 in an hour at the crease, edged to the wicketkeeper.
Warrican also took a wicket, bowling Jamal Smith for 22 with an arm ball as the batsman, who occupied the crease for 84, hitting three fours, offered no shot.
Earlier, Shamarh Brooks XI, resuming on 361 for six , were eventually dismissed for 416 with Roston Chase moving from an overnight 119 to 136 before pacer Corey Edwards bowled him.
Chase batted for 292 balls and 345 minutes and struck 15 fours.
Edwards also took the wickets of tailenders Miguel Cummins and Shadd Simmons to end with three for 93 from 32 overs. Warrican was left not out on 40 with three fours and a six off 82 balls after Chad Clarke-Reifer bowled last man Jason Smith, who had batted for 31 minutes, for five.
A second trial match will be played at the same venue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Former Barbados captain Jason Haynes and Carlton skipper Marlon Graham will lead the teams.
The teams:
Marlon Graham (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Miguel Cummins, Fidel Edwards, Jason Greene, Jamar Griffith, Krisnan Hurdle, Rohan Nurse, Rachid O’Neale, Omar Phillips, Raymon Reifer, Shadd Simmons, Jamal Smith, Jason Smith, Jomel Warrican.
Jason Haynes (captain), Renaldo Arthur, Patrick Browne, Nikolai Charles, Roston Chase, Chad Clarke-Reifer, Pedro Collins, Corey Edwards, Kofie Hurdle, Ryan Layne, Joel M. Leacock, Kyle Mayers, Randy Thomas, Kenroy Williams.
