BASSETERRE – Hayden Walsh Jr yesterday became the embodiment of the biblical passage about the stone the builder rejected being used for a greater purpose.
Walsh, who was born in St Croix and raised in Antigua, claimed a first-class career-best bowling return that put Barbados Pride in charge against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Digicel Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Championship.
The 25-year-old leg-spinner grabbed six for 48 from 20 overs, as the Hurricanes were bowled out for 246, replying to the Pride’s first innings total of 394, shortly before tea on the third day of their sixth-round match at Warner Park.
All-rounder Kevin Stoute snared four for 58 from 18.3 overs to help complete the demolition of the Hurricanes’ batting, as they slumped from the relative comfort of 188 for three to lose their last seven wickets for 58.
West Indies “A” team opener Montcin Hodge hit the top score of 82 for the Hurricanes.
Batting a second time, Pride recovered from a shaky start, but lost two key wickets in the final hour, taking a bit of polish off their performance, as they reached 110 for four when stumps were drawn, for an overall lead of 258.
Walsh, whose late father was a gritty opener for the Leewards in the 1990s, came through the ranks but has failed to find favour with the selectors of the sub-regional grouping in recent seasons.
He has become a beneficiary of the Professional Cricket League franchise system and the Pride have provided him with a periodic outlet to put his talent to good use, as he did to undermine his Leewards contemporaries. (CMC)
