The distress of defeat was disappointing but Barbados Pride weren’t disgraced.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite reckoned the players can hold their heads high despite a three-wicket loss to new regional One-Day champions Windward Islands Volcanoes in Saturday’s final of the West Indies Super50 Festival at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.
Chasing Barbados Pride’s total of 232 for nine, the Volcanoes, inspired by Man Of The Match Roland Cato’s top score of 54 of 64 balls and a vital run-a-ball unbeaten 23 from newcomer Alick Athanaze, claimed their third regional One-Day title, reaching 236 for seven off 49.3 overs.
It meant the 2017 kings were dethroned, despite Jonathan Carter’s all-round efforts of 80 off 108 balls and a tidy 10-over spell of one wicket for 25 runs in the keenly contested day-night contest.
“I am very proud of this young team. Losing 11 guys wasn’t easy but performing like that in the final, I am quite happy. Obviously, we were 15, 20 runs short but I am quite happy with how these young guys played,” Brathwaite told NATIONSPORT after the match.
He was making reference to the loss of Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach and Carlos Brathwaite to the West Indies’ World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Shane Dowrich, Miguel Cummins, Shamarh Brooks and Jomel Warrican are also playing for the Windies’ “A” team against England Lions while injuries sidelined experienced left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and all-rounder Justin Greaves.
“I think the young guys coming in, especially the two guys [Dominic Drakes and Keon Harding] opening the new ball did a fantastic job. All the young guys did a good job. Roston [Chase] really led the batting and that was a key for us,” he noted.
Apart from not getting a 250-plus total, Brathwaite pointed to a few dropped catches, particularly a crucial one offered by Alick Athanaze which rookie wicketkeeper Tevyn Walcott spilled off pacer Keon Harding.
“I think we dropped about three to four catches coming on to the end, which probably was crucial, especially the one with the left-hander [Athanaze] who was there at the end. I think that is one of the main things for me,” Brathwaite lamented.
He said the dismissals of Carter and Chase, who made 44, taking his aggregate to a tournament-high 558 runs, in the 32nd and 41st overs, respectively were critical.
“As batsmen, obviously, you are aiming to bat right down. It was unfortunate that those guys didn’t go on. We lost about six wickets for probably about 50 runs after the start that we had which really set us behind, but we still got a decent enough total,” Brathwaite noted.
Why explaining his bowling choices, he didn’t say why Chase wasn’t among the eight bowlers used.
“Having a lot of bowlers, obviously, you got to choose the right ones, which we did today. I thought the guys fought. The pitch was still a good one. It actually didn’t spin a lot and I thought the guys put in a good [bowling] effort.”
On reflection, coach Emmerson Trotman conceded it may have been an oversight not using more experienced bowlers at the “death”.
“It is unfortunate some of the senior guys didn’t get the bowling that was expected of them but it is just one of those things.
“You could’ve probably used more experienced [bowlers] at the end but under pressure, you are going to make one or two errors. Still, it was nice to give the youngsters a good opportunity bowling,” he acknowledged.
Trotman said despite the loss, he was heartened by the young players’ performance.
“It is always sad to lose but looking on the other side of the coin you got to be very proud of the youngsters. They came through and did very well. I can’t fault them. The final was a big game for them and all the players needed to manage themselves a bit better under pressure. Unfortunately, we didn’t come out on top but it is a big future for Barbados’ cricket,” Trotman said.
He said the tournament, which was the first choice on West Indies One-Day and “A” team duties, gave the youngsters an opportunity to gain experience.
“This experience will carry them through a long way for the future. Even though it would’ve been nice to win, I am not totally disappointed but I am happy to see that we got a good group of youngsters with a bright future ahead of them.”
Trotman said the middle order slump from 140 for two to 195 for eight when six wickets fell for 55 runs, was significant.
“You just can’t do that in a big game like this. You got to apply yourself. You got to discipline yourself more. You got to be aware of situations and we just batted poorly,” Trotman said. (EZS)