GROS-ISLET, St. Lucia, CMC – Bronte Bess hit back for the Windward Islands, after Jomel Warrican helped Barbados dismiss the hosts cheaply in their first innings in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge yesterday.
Bess snared two wickets for seven runs from four overs, as Barbados, replying to the Windwards’ first innings total of 132, reached 17 for two at the close on the first day of their first round match at Beausejour Cricket Ground.
Bess had Shane Parris caught at first slip for a duck, and Shai Hope caught behind also for a duck to leave Barbados tottering on three runs for two wickets.
Dario Cummins joined Clint St.Hill, and they batted through the remaining five overs to carry Barbados to the close without further drama.
Earlier, Jomel Warrican, a member of the Young West Indies side that reached the semi-finals of the Youth World Cup earlier this year in New Zealand, bowled impressively to collect four wickets for 28 runs from 31 overs – 20 of which were maidens.
Spin bowling was again the bane of the young Windwards’ batsmen, and they never fully recovered, after they declined to 63 for six.
A stand of 49 between Kirk Edward, whose 35 was the top score, and Dwight Thomas, with 23, added some respectability to the Windwards’ total.
Warrican came into the attack very early, but medium-paced bowler Kyle Mayers grabbed the scalps of opener Denis Smith for 13 and Sunil Ambris for a duck to leave Windwards on 39 for three.
Warrican had Rudolph Paul stumped for a duck, as Windwards reached 48 for four at lunch.
After the interval, Warrican continued to wheel away from one end, and trapped Kaveem Hodge lbw for 33, and part-time off-spinner Roston Chase dismissed Audy Alexander, the Windwards captain, for a duck to sink his side to 63 for six.
Thomas joined Edwards, and they beefed-up the Windwards’ total before they were dismissed in quick succession, and Warrican snared two of the last four wickets that fell for 20 runs.
Mayers ended with two for 24 from 10 overs, and leg-spinner Shakeem Wilkinson took two for 25 from 15 overs.
