Batsmen struggled once again on the second day of the first 2012 Barbados cricket trial match at the Foursquare Oval, yesterday.
Starting the day on 182 for nine, Kenroy Williams XI were eventually dismissed for 191 to which Kraigg Brathwaite XI replied limply with 122 all out. At the close, Williams XI were 65 without loss in their second innings – an overall lead of 134 runs.
Of interest to the Barbados selectors in Williams XI’s second innings is the opening pair of Omar Phillips and Rashidi Boucher, who are the leading contenders to partner Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the order after Dale Richards was not selected to trials.
Left-handed Phillips, who has represented the Combined Campuses and Colleges with distinction over the past four seasons, is unbeaten on 34 while his right-handed partner Boucher is on 26 not out.
Earlier, in Brathwaite XI’s reply, another contender for the opening spot in the heavy-set Martin Nurse batted out of character to score 32 from 73 balls with only one boundary as bowlers dominated on a slow pitch and a heavy outfield.
A number of batsmen, to their credit spent time in the middle inspite of the adverse conditions.
After Nurse departed, Test opener Brathwaite faced 46 balls to score seven; Nekoli Parris took 62 balls for his 14 while wicket-keeper Mario Rampersaud batted solidly to remain unbeaten on 19 from 77 deliveries.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican bowled with lots of control on the slow pitch to snare four for 25 from 19 overs. Fast bowlers Miguel Cummins (3-16), Randall Hoyte (2-31) and Surrey professional Christopher Jordan (1-20) were impressive as Brathwaite XI conceded a first innings lead of 69.
Jordan’s two brilliant catches at slip, along with his first innings batting and his bowling underlines his all-round talent, which the Barbados selectors would’ve taken note of.
At the start of the day, wicket-keeper Renaldo Arthur, after resuming on 38 was dismissed for 43 while Shane Ramsay remained not out on 23.
