Reynaldo Parris followed up a handy bowling performance with his third Division 1 hundred to put CGI/Sandy Crest Maple in an impregnable position against BNB?St Catherine on the second day of their top-of-the-table third-series clash, yesterday.
The former Barbados Under-19 captain survived a couple of chances, hitting 104 to lead Maple to 228 for five in their second innings, an overall lead of 314.
Parris, who took the last two St Catherine wickets, finished with four for 11 from 8.2 overs with his uncomplicated off-spin, as the hosts were dismissed for 93 about 20 minutes into the day, and conceded a first innings lead of 86.
Shane Ramsay supported with four for 70 from 14 overs, as Stefan Gooding was St Catherine’s first innings top scorer with 34.
Parris then held centre stage, after he led a recovery for the visitors. He reached his hundred from 160 balls, lofting left-arm spinner Derrick Bishop, the St Catherine captain, for his second six over the rope at the long-on boundary.
“I didn’t get many runs in the first few matches, and our captain Pedro Agard and our coach Hendy Bryan suggested that I drop down the order to give myself more time to focus and gain some confidence,” said Parris in a radio interview.
Just after he arrived at the wicket, the West Coast-based side were scrambling on 36 for three after Ulric Batson flattened their top order, capturing three for 48 from 18 overs at the end of the day.
Parris added 87 for the fourth wicket with Marlon Welcome-Goodman either side of tea, which came with Maple on 71 for three.
Goodman struck four boundaries in 59 from 112 deliveries before Kenroy Williams, twirling his off-spin, bowled him to give St Catherine the breakthrough.
Parris, who was dropped at eight and 39, then took charge, playing an attractive array of strokes to reach his milestone.
