CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, CMC – Fast bowler Kemar Roach produced a devastating spell to grab a seven-wicket haul that catapulted Barbados to a hard-fought, eight-wicket victory over Combined Campuses and Colleges yesterday.
Moving the ball around at good pace and maintaining a full length, Roach claimed a career-best seven for 23 off 13.5 overs to help dismiss CCC for 187 on the final day of their second round WICB regional match at Grove Park.
Barbados, given a target of 100 in a minimum 28 overs, lost two wickets and coasted home in 17 overs with the help of Dale Richards’ unbeaten 55.
The win lifted Barbados to 15 points after a drawn first match against the Leeward Islands, while CCC, the early joint front-runners with Jamaica following a big win by 151 runs against Trinidad and Tobago, remained on 12 points.
Roach got the ball to move around and most of CCC’s batsmen were unable to negotiate his swing in two telling spells.
CCC, who trailed on first innings by 88 and started their second innings on the final day after rain prevented a ball from being bowled on Sunday, offered very little resistance outside of a sixth wicket partnership of 79 between wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton and left-hander Kevin McClean.
They came together after Roach’s three-wicket burst in his pre-lunch spell left them reeling on 106 for five.
With Roach out of the attack for an extended period after the break, Walton, who battled away for two and a quarter hours in making 44 off 119 balls, got together with McClean to keep Barbados at bay for most of the post-lunch session.
In the first period, leg-spinner Nikolai Charles removed left-handed openers Omar Phillips (20) and Simon Jackson (17) before Roach came into the attack to send back Romel Currency (11), Floyd Reifer (3) and Nekoli Parris (29).
The first had his stumps disturbed and the other two went by the lbw route in the face of impressive bowling.
Barbados captain Ryan Hinds called on Roach late in the post-lunch session and he responded by hitting the stumps of both Walton and McClean to put Barbados on course for victory.
The dismissal of McClean for 24 off 89 balls led to the final slump in which the last five wickets fell for the addition of seven runs.
CCC’s second innings ended half-hour after tea, giving Barbados enough time to chase the target. Barbados lost Jason Haynes (13) and Kirk Edwards, but victory was never in doubt with Richards leading the way.
The two teams travel to Barbados for the third round of matches starting on Friday. Barbados will meet Trinidad and Tobago at Kensington Oval, while CCC host Windward Islands at the 3Ws Oval.
