The showdown?between archrivals Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago in the Regional 4-Day Tournament was plagued by a number of injuries as batsmen on both teams failed to cope with some hostile fast bowling.
Trinidad & Tobago’s pint-sized opener Adrian Barath was forced to retire hurt in his team’s second innings after he was struck on the right index finger, an injury which required a few stitches.
His captain Denesh Ramdin also had to get stitches for a blow to his left index and was unable to keep wicket in the entire match.
Lendl Simmons, who replaced him behind the stumps, didn’t last too long in the position as he suffered a broken bone to the fourth finger on the left hand after using poor wicketkeeping technique in trying to catch a lifting inswinging delivery from fast bowler Shannon Gabriel.
Simmons was then replaced by Darren Bravo as Ramdin, despite his finger injury, positioned himself in the outfield for the entire match.
Barbados also had their share of injuries with the experienced Ryan Hinds forced to retire hurt in his team’s first innings after he was painfully hit on the forearm, trying to evade a short delivery from the pacy Gabriel.
Baby-faced Barbados wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich, in trying to catch a bouncer from fast bowler Tino Best, was unfortunately hit just above the left eye, resulting in severe swelling.
Dowrich was unable to bat in Barbados’ first innings and his place behind the stumps was taken by batsman Jonathan Carter, who did a fairly good under the circumstances.
Both Carter and Bravo, especially, conceded a number of byes but they also held onto a couple of catches. This caused a few spectators to speculate that they should consider taking up duties behind the stumps more often as the West Indies desperately need a wicketkeeper who can score runs consistently at the international level.
