The final round match of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) sponsored Headley/ Weekes trophy between Guyana and Barbados was evenly poised at the end of the penultimate day, with the hosts battling to avoid their seventh defeat in the double-round tournament.
Replying to Guyana’s first innings score of 334, Barbados, led by a personal best of 186 from Kevin Stoute, and an even century from Ryan Hinds, scored 396 against the bowling of Devendra Bishoo who claimed 4-125 and Veerasammy Permaul 2-60.
With a first innings deficit of 62, Guyana raced to 56 before losing the wicket of Christopher Barnwell who was bowled by Jason Holder on the stroke of tea. His 21 runs included four fours. Guyana finished on 167-3, a lead of 102, with Sewnarine Chattergoon on 72 and Vishal Singh 14.
Scores to date, Guyana 334 and 167-3, Barbados 396.
Assad Fudadin got into the act when he drove Holder through the cover region for four, followed by a straight four along the ground and a six over long-on, off consecutive deliveries from Nikolai Charles.
Chattergoon posted his 20th first class 50 from 64 balls and 94 minutes of batting, with eight fours, before watching Fudadin hoist Charles over long-on for six to raise the team’s 100, followed by two sixes off Shane Ramsay which took his score to 37.
Guyana lost Fudadin and Singh to two consecutive balls from Stoute with the score on 132 and a lead of 70. Fudadin was looking set to record his third half-century this season, before he was adjudged lbw for a pugnacious 42 made off 74 balls, including four sixes and two fours.
He, along with Chattergoon added 76 for the second wicket, during his 90 minutes sojourn at the wicket.
Chattergoon fought valiantly for his team, with a drive through extra cover off Stoute and at the close of play, Guyana were 167-3 and with Chattergoon on 72 and debutant Vishal Singh on 14. Stoute has so far taken 2-19.
Earlier, Barbados resumed on 267-3 with Stoute on 104 and Hinds on 83. They progressed to 315 before losing the wicket of Hinds, who was caught by Esaun Crandon off the bowling of Bishoo, after posting his second of the tournament and ninth first-class century.
The 28-year-old Hinds faced 191 balls for his 100, hitting 12 fours while batting for 261 minutes. He, along with Stoute, added 239 runs from 341 balls with 28 fours and two sixes for the fourth wicket. Stoute was on 133 when Hinds was dismissed.
Stoute who had earlier struck Barnwell for four followed by another two boundaries in successive overs, was joined by Charles and they added 34 for the seventh wicket, which gave the Barbadians first innings’ points.
However, he lost Charles who was caught by Chattergoon in the slip cordon off Barnwell and at lunch, Barbados were 372-7 with Stoute on 168 and in sight of his maiden first-class double hundred. Roach was on four.
The Guyanese regrouped after the luncheon break to quickly wrap up the visitor’s innings including the prize wicket of Stoute, who was caught by Royston Crandon at long-off when he attempted to hit Permaul somewhere out of the ground.
The 24-year–old Stoute whose previous best was 100 made against the Leeward Islands followed by 63 against Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), both innings going in vain as Barbados lost both matches, faced 258 balls and struck 24 fours and two sixes; batting for 363 minutes.
Bishoo who claimed 4-125, led a stubborn Guyanese fight back with assistance from former West Indies Under-19 left-arm, orthodox spinner Veerasammy Permaul who took 2-60.
