Barbados became the first team to officially occupy one of four semi-final spots on offer as the penultimate round of the Regional One Day Tournament (the President’s Cup) ended last evening.
Barbados, who opposed the Windward Islands at the Enmore Community development centre ground, were indebted to Man of the Match Corey Collymore and Tino Best at the beginning and end of the Windwards’ innings.
Sent in to bat, the Barbadian batsmen were stifled with only Ryan Hinds with his third half century from four matches, showing any defiance.
The Barbados innings started 30 minutes late and, according to match referee Randolph Mitchell, this was due to moisture on the pitch.
Barbados reached 197-8 off their allotted 50 overs and then restricted the Windward Islands to 184 all out in 49.3 over to register a hard-fought, 13-run victory.
Openers Dale Richards and Captain Jason Haynes put on 39 runs in 10 overs before Richards was lbw to Sammy for a 28-ball, 20 while Haynes was run out as he attempted to steal a single to backward point.
Johnson Charles’ swift return to wicketkeeper Lyndon James found him in no man’s land.
Hinds, though was finding his range and added 51 runs for the third wicket with Kenroy Williams.
Hinds was eventually dismissed for 50 from 81 balls caught by Kevin James at cover off the bowling of Devon Smith.
Dwayne Smith tried to up the tempo but could only watch in disgust as his off stump was knocked back by Deighton Butler for a 28-ball, 23 which contained a six and a four.
Barbados lost two more quick wickets when Patrick Browne was caught by Liam Sebastein for 03 off Butler who also picked up the wicket of Tino Best for a duck three balls later..
But Stoute defended stoutly and together with Nikolai Charles added 17 runs valuable runs for Barbados.
Stoute was unbeaten on 27 and Charles 04.
Butler was the pick of the bowlers with 3-37 while Darren Sammy supported with 2-49.
Smith and Pascal chipped in with a wicket each.
When the Windward Islands began their reply Corey Collymore struck with successive balls to leave the Windwards 11-2.
He had Miles Bascombe lbw for 2 and knocked back Johnson Charles’ off stump.
Meanwhile Best at the other end was on the receiving end of spanking drives from Smith who took a four and a six off the hapless pacer.
But Collymore produced a beauty to Kevin James who nicked to wicketkeeper Browne to leave the Windward Islands on 26-3 after seven overs.
But Devon Smith and Sammy added 67 runs for the fourth wicket.
Sammy was caught and bowled by Kenroy Martin for 23 from 64 balls while Smith made 83 with five fours.
Collymore, 3-34, Best 3-39, Smith 2-44 and 1-27 were the pick of the bowlers.
The Windward play the Leeward Island today at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground.