GROS ISLET – Barbados look set to capture first innings lead and could press for victory against the Leeward Islands but were stalled on a rain-shortened second day of their second round TCL Group West Indies Under-19 match yesterday.After extending their overnight 290 for five to 350 for six declared, Barbados reduced the Leewards to 186 for nine at the end of a day in which 19 overs were lost because of rainAll-rounder Justin Greaves, playing in his first match of the tournament and batsman Dario Cummins, led Barbados’ charge for first innings.Greaves grabbed three for 36 to follow up an unbeaten 31 while Cummins made 53 after resuming the day on 18.DelayedThe start of play was delayed by half-hour because of rain and Barbados immediately went about trying to pick up the tempo.When the declaration was made at 11:25 a.m. after ten overs, Barbados had added a further 60 runs in losing the wicket of Cummins for his first half-century at this level.Leewards reached 11 without loss at lunch and progressed to 111 for three at tea but Barbados applied the pressure in the evening session in which they grabbed six wickets.A stoppage rain at 3:05 p.m. prevented a resumption until 4 p.m. but Barbados quickly made inroads into the Leewards’ batting in which the main resistance came from Akeem Saunders (47), Darren Benta (39), Hayden Walsh Jr (29) and Adelvin Phillip (27).Greaves, who bowls fast medium, was backed up by leg-spinner Shakeem Wilkinson (2-27) and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (2-36).Barbados will be hoping to dismiss the Leewards for less than 200 to have the chance of enforcing the follow-on.The highlight of the day’s action was a double-century by Jamaican Jermaine Blackwood.The in-form Blackwood made 204 against Guyana that lifted the defending champions to 380 at Gros Islet. Blackwood resumed on 100 with Jamaica on 256 for six.Guyana were struggling on 136 for seven at stumps.In the other match, Windward Islands secured first innings points against Trinidad and Tobago at the Dennery Playing Field.The hosts, who made 236, dismissed Trinidad and Tobago for 216 and progressed to 60 for one at the close to hold an overall lead of 80.
(HG)