BARBADOS lost their tense battle for first innings lead, but Kraigg Brathwaite’s first century in senior national colours was more than a big victory for the island yesterday.
They were unable to dislodge the last Trinidad and Tobago wicket before the hosts secured six points in the morning session on the final day of their first-round WICB regional match that ended in a predictable draw at Guaracara Park.
With the selectors, however, keen on exposing young talent to the West Indies selectors, they would feel they have scored more points because of Brathwaite’s second first-class hundred that followed his 130 for West Indies ‘A’ against Pakistan ‘A’ last November.
The 18-year-old opening batsman displayed his strong appetite for accumulating runs by compiling a diligent unbeaten 102 in which he played virtually every ball on merit, presenting a broad solid bat to the good ones, nudging those that were marginally off target and attacking the loose ones.
“This means a lot. I want to thank God for giving me the strength and guidance out there. I’m very happy. It is a pleasure to get a hundred for my country,” Brathwaite told NATIONSPORT.
“Words can’t explain how I felt. It was very excited. This hundred was more special. It was for Barbados. I know that I have made people back home proud. It is my country.”
Moments after Brathwaite achieved the milestone just before 4 p.m., a light shower sent the players off the field and the two captains immediately decided to call oFf the match with Barbados on 234 for three in the second innings.
As a contest, however, it was over in the morning session after Trinidad and Tobago gained first innings lead which they achieved with the last-wicket pair sensibly staving off Barbados.
The hosts resumed at 390 for nine, replying to 395, and No. 11 Shannon Gabriel survived the first over from Pedro Collins, who was a surprise choice for some to start the attack after his ineffectiveness the previous day.
Rayad Emrit, 82, at the beginning of the day and batting with a runner because of a damaged ankle, collected two runs off Kevin Stoute at the start of the next over and after Gabriel survived another over from Collins,Trinidad and Tobago clinched the lead when Emrit flicked Stoute over midwicket for six from the last ball of the day’s fourth over.
It was then left to see if Emrit could complete his second century against Barbados following his 112 in the Carib Beer Challenge final on this ground five years ago, but he was left stranded on 97 after Tino Best knocked over Gabriel’s off stump with a yorker from the last ball of his first over of the day.
While Emrit came away with the disappointment of missing out on another ton against Barbados, he can take satisfaction that he was at the heart of transforming Trinidad and Tobago’s wobbly position of 131 for five into 412 all out and it was an effort that earned the No. 8 the Man-Of-The-Match award.
Emrit was the fifth player in the match to reach 80 without getting to three digits, but Brathwaite ensured he would not be the sixth even if it meant spending some time in the 90s.
With Barbados starting their second innings at 10:20 a.m., there was still enough time to lose the match, but Brathwaite, in tandem with fellow opener Dale Richards (24), Kirk Edwards (42) and Ryan Hinds (29), ensured there would be no drama.
“It was the fourth day. I knew it was going to be hard. In the first over from the pacer, the ball was keeping low. I had to watch it,” Brathwaite said.
“We decided to play as straight as possible. The pitch wasn’t anything I didn’t expect. Even from the first day, balls were keeping low. You know you had to come forward.”
He was able to do so solidly in an innings that lasted four and a half hours and included eight fours off 278 balls.
By lunch, Barbados were out of danger at 88 for one, and at tea when they reached 193 for three, the game’s only interest was to see if Brathwaite would achieve what no other batsman did in the match.
This century has carried him closer to 50 in his short career. The vast majority of those have been made at the junior levels of the game and he is conscious of the increased challenges at the senior level.
“It is quite a big step. The bowlers are more consistent. It is four days, not three. You have to be fitter and stronger, mentally and physically,” he said.
“At the senior level, you have to assess the situation more. You have to be tough.”
haydngill@nationnews.com
