HPC turn the tables on Barbados

ALL AT?SEA against spin.
That was case on Thursday night as a newlook Barbados cricket team – minus Dwayne Smith, Ryan Hinds, Jonathan Carter, Alcindo Holder and Sulieman Benn – suffered a seven-wicket loss to the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre (HPC) in the second Twenty20 practice match at the 3Ws Oval.
New opener Justin Brathwaite, who was only called up to the training squad this week following a blistering century for LIME, hit the top score of 27 in Barbados’ inadequate total of 98 in 19.5 overs.
The 24-year-old left-hander smashed two sixes and a four off 18 balls but his cameo was too brief as left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican took three for 12 in his four overs to stifle the middle order. All three of his victims, Shane Dowrich, Marrodon Bend and Joel Leacock, were caught at backward point, trying to cut.  
In response, the HPC outfit, despite an amazing performance of four overs, three maidens, two runs, three wickets by Jamar “Butter Beans” Griffith, reached 99 for three in 18.3 overs.
Andre Fletcher retired hurt on 36 off 47 balls with two sixes and a four, leaving Keddy Lesporis to (36 not out off 32 balls, 4×4) to and level the series 1-1. (EZS)