Barbados recovered from a post-lunch collapse yesterday to take first innings lead over Guyana before a half-century last-wicket stand and two late strikes set up the possibility of an outright win in the WICB Regional Under-19 Three-Day Cricket Tournament at the Desmond Haynes Oval.
Replying to Guyana’s modest first innings 136, Barbados scored 211 and then new ball bowlers Darnell Greenidge and Akeem Jordan took a wicket each as the Guyanese reached an uncomfortable one run for two wickets in three overs before the close, still trailing by 74 runs.
With first innings well secured in the top-of-the table clash, the young Barbadians, who have benefited significantly from bonus points by their fast bowlers, are now well poised to capture the Three-Day title.
They would put the issue beyond doubt with an outright win today, emulating the 2008 triumph when the tournament was last played here.
Half centuries from opener Shayne Moseley (65) and wicket keeper/batsman Carlos Maynard (50) led the batting effort for the Bajans but the patience and maturity of last man Chad Williams (18 not out) was admirable.
Maynard and Williams added 61 for the last wicket, frustrating the Guyanese attack, led by left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who bowled a marathon 41 overs, 31 of them consecutively at the top of the innings to take five for 73.
Barbados dominated the pre-lunch session, which produced 86 runs for the loss of Craig St. Hill, caught at short backward square by Shimron Hetmeyer off the lively medium fast bowler Romario Shepherd for just two when the score was six.
Moseley, who batted for 134 minutes, faced 116 balls while striking two sixes and four fours and captain Shai Hope dropped anchor for the rest of the morning session but almost immediately on resumptionthe second wicket partnership was broken.
Motie removed both batsmen caught and bowled and when Kemar Brathwaite fell cheaply to reduce them to 104 for five, a degree of tension appeared to infiltrate the Barbados camp.
Drakes eased the pressure with a boundary to mid-wicket off Motie, while left-hander Jameel Stuart lofted leg spinner Shawn Pereira over mid-wicket for six. An attempted pull by Stuart off the persistent Motie was easily caught by George. Motie also sent back Drakes (25), and Greenidge as three wickets tumbled for just seven runs.
Maynard and Chaim Holder remained together as Barbados secured the lead but when Shepherd (three for 34), dismissed Holder and Jordan with consecutive deliveries it appeared the first innings advantage would be negligible.
Williams and Maynard had taken the score to 157 for nine when rain prompted an early tea and the pair batted well into the final session bringing up the 50 partnership in 73 minutes off 117 balls.
Maynard was last out, caught at cover by Shepherd off Chanderpaul Hemraj having batted for 165 minutes during which time he faced 128 balls and hit six fours.
