An undefeated century from Barbados captain Kirk Edwards and a knock of 85 by Jonathan Carter put Barbados in a strong position on the opening day of the second round WICB Regional 4-Day match against Guyana at Kensington Oval.
Invited to bat after Guyana won the toss, Barbados batted throughout a day shortened by rain to reach 267 for four. When rain interrupted play for the third and final time, Edwards was unbeaten on 110 and Roston Chase not out on 24.
While Barbados dominated play after lunch, mainly through a century stand between Edwards and Carter, Guyana enjoyed the opening exchanges as Barbados lost both openers by the time the score reached 33.
Edwards and Kyle Hope partially rebuilt the innings with a third-wicket stand of 40 in just 44 minutes, but with 25 minutes to go before lunch, Hope was snapped up at forward short leg by Rajindra Chandrika off the bowling of left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul for 16.
By the break, Edwards, who survived a lively opening spell from pacer Ronsford Beaton, had cruised to 40 and Carter was on nine, with Barbados 97 for three.
Rain during the luncheon interval caused a 20-minute delay to the start of the afternoon session, but when play resumed Edwards wasted no time in reaching his half-century with a straight six off the bowling of leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo.
Edwards reached the landmark off 71 balls in 108 minutes with two sixes and six fours. He then played a classy straight drive for four, also off Bishoo.
Beaton, in another impressive spell after lunch, tested Carter with a series of short deliveries. One took the outside edge and sped to third man for four while Carter fended another that fell well away from any fielders.
Carter accelerated as he approached his 50, reaching the landmark with his eighth four to add to a solitary six, having faced 94 balls in 108 minutes at that stage. Shortly afterwards, the pair raised the century stand in 107 minutes.
By tea, Edwards was in sight of three figures and Carter well entrenched on 55 as 92 runs were scored in the afternoon session off 28 overs. Rain during tea prompted a 45-minute delay but did nothing to compromise the dominance of the Bajan batsmen.
Edwards benefited from a chance to Assad Fudadin at long on off Bishoo when 95 and shortly after, he went on to complete his third regional first-class century, having batted for 229 minutes, during which he faced 144 balls and hit two sixes and 11 fours.
Carter seemed set to celebrate his maiden first-class ton but, 15 runs short of the landmark, he edged a cut from the part-time leg-spinner Leon Johnson for wicketkeeper Derwin Christian to complete a juggling catch. Carter’s knock included a six and 13 fours. He batted for 174 minutes and faced 154 deliveries.
The day was marked by the unusual sight of four umpires being pressed into service.
Nicholas Cook, the former England player, who was assigned to the match with Peter Nero, took ill and was initially replaced by umpire Ryan Willoughby after tea. Willoughby, himself was replaced by Jonathan Blades, until Cook returned to the middle, but rain brought a premature end to the day.
