GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Kraigg Brathwaite produced his best innings to anchor title-hopefuls Barbados to first innings points over hosts Guyana in the WICB Regional Under-19 Championship yesterday.
The West Indies Under-19 captain was unbeaten on 55, as the Barbadians, replying to Guyana’s modest first innings total of 87, reached 148 for three at the close on the opening day of their final round match at Everest.
This followed another feeble batting performance from Guyana, who were dismissed about 35 minutes after lunch.
West Indies Under-19 batsman Kwame Crosse hit the top score of 42, and was the only batsman to pass 20.
Justin Greaves was the pick of the Barbados bowlers with four wickets for 17 runs from 9.4 overs. Off-spinner Chaim Holder grabbed three for 10 from eight overs, and left-arm fast-medium bowler Jerome Jones snared two for 12 from seven.
Brathwaite then added 53 – unbroken – with Kyle Mayers for the fourth wicket to extend Barbados’ lead.
Mayers played a supporting knock of 34 not out, and left-hander Anthony Alleyne made 31 in a stand of 46 with Brathwaite.
The Barbadians had been set back early, when Ronsford Beaton bowled opener Shane Parris for three.
But Barbados reached 47 for one at tea before left-arm spinner Anthony Adams bowled Shai Hope for 18, leaving them 49 for two.
Earlier, Guyana ran into early problems when they slumped to seven runs for four wickets within the first half-hour – one wicket apiece in each of the first four overs.
Greaves had Kevon Boodie caught at second slip for nought, playing forward to the second ball of the day, and Linden Austin, his opening partner, was bowled by Jones for a duck in the second over.
Chanderpaul Hemraj was caught at second slip off Greaves for one, edging a drive in the third over, and Jones bowled Dominique Rikhi for one when the batsman played on in the fourth over.
The Barbadians must win outright to stand any chance of taking the title. They are third on 23.2 points behind leaders Jamaica (31) and Trinidad and Tobago (27.3)
Meanwhile, leaders Jamaica, replying to Windward Islands’ first innings total of 99, reached 215 for two in their first innings at the close at the Demerara Cricket Club.
Over at Bourda Oval, Trinidad and Tobago, replying to Leeward Islands’ first innings total of 149, reached 141 for two at the close. (CMC)
