Chasing the Leewards’ 236, Barbados got an opening stand of 103 but then capitulated spectacularly, losing 10 wickets for 126 runs to crash to 229 all out.
Leewards then safely navigated 15 overs at the end to close on 20 without loss, and set up an interesting day three on Sunday.
With Barbados getting such a fine start, Leewards needed the spin of leg-spinner Anthony Martin (3-38) and off-spinner Omari Banks (2-41) as they fought back strongly especially in the afternoon session to dismiss Barbados on what continues to be a slow and low Kensington Park pitch. Opener Dale Richards and top-order batsman Kirk Edwards both scored 60 but were the only ones to show any real enterprise. Edwards, in particular, was outstanding as he faced 167 balls in just under four hours at the crease, and striking seven fours, to keep the Barbados innings together.
Barbados resumed at their overnight 74 without loss with openers Dale Richards and Jason Haynes pushing on with some certainty.
The left-handed Haynes had added just nine to his overnight 19 when he padded up to a delivery from Tonito Willett that straightened and was given out lbw with the score on 103. Richards, who was more watchful than the previous evening when he raced to 45 not out, eventually gave his hand away with no addition to the score when he chipped Banks to long on for Kieran Powell to take an easy catch running in. The right-hander struck eight fours and a six in an innings spanning 105 balls and 127 minutes.
Left-handed captain Ryan Hinds became Banks’ second victim when he tried to sweep a straight ball and perished via the lbw route.
Stylish debutant Kyle Hope, who scored 22, and Kirk Edwards then added 42 for the fourth wicket as they guided Barbados to 146 for three at lunch.
After the break, Hope also wasted his wicket when he drove quickish wrist spinner Martin to Powell at mid-on with the score on 155 and off the next delivery, Kevin Stoute was beaten by a straight delivery from Martin and adjudged lbw.
Fast bowler Gavin Tonge, who played his debut Test against Australia last month, struck in the following over when he had Shamarh Brooks edging to wicketkeeper Devon Thomas, also without scoring at 157, as three wickets tumbled for two runs.
Edwards was left to negate the hat-trick ball from Martin in the next over and together with Patrick Browne (11), took the score to 183 for six at tea before the latter ran himself out just after the break with just five runs added.
Roach followed soon after lbw to off-spinner Justin Athanaze at 189 for eight but Edwards and Nekolai Charles (7) added a valuable 33 for the ninth wicket.
Edwards’ courageous innings finally came to an end, lbw to Lionel Baker at 222 before Pedro Collins was last man out without scoring, lbw to Martin.(Scoreboard on page 31)
