BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Jamaica scalped the key wickets of Ryan Hinds and Kraigg Brathwaite in the final session to fight their way back against Barbados in the WICB Regional first-class championship yesterday.
Kraigg Brathwaite has so far hit the top score of 76, and Barbados captain Ryan Hinds made 56, as the home team, replying to Jamaica’s first innings total of 324, reached 220 for four at the close on the second day of their crucial third round match at Kensington Oval.
The Jamaicans bowled steadily, but the pair added 106 for the third wicket before they fell within 1 ½ hours of each other to leave the match hanging in the balance.
Andrew Richardson set Barbados back early, when he trapped Dale Richards lbw for three in the second over of the innings.
The Jamaicans were put on the back-foot, when Kyle Hope joined Brathwaite, and added 47 for the second wicket before leg-spinner Odean Brown bowled him for 38, as Barbados reached 62 for two at lunch.
After the interval, the Jamaicans failed to make headway, as Hinds and Brathwaite consolidated for Barbados.
They mixed sound defence with good running between the wickets and enterprising strokes, but were slowed down when rain prompted tea about 45 minutes earlier than scheduled with the home team on 102 for two.
After tea, the Jamaicans continued to hunt for wickets, but Hinds and Brathwaite stood firm and reached 50.
Brown was cut through square cover for four to bring Hinds to his landmark from 102 balls, and Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert, bowling his uncomplicated off-spin, was dabbed into square cover for a single to send the obdurate Brathwaite to his 50 from 152 balls.
The Jamaicans however, had a chance to claim Hinds when he was 54, but second slip fielder Simon Jackson dropped a difficult chance off Richardson.
Lambert however, got the privilege of scalping his opposite number, when left-hander Hinds was dubiously adjudged lbw. The Barbados captain batted almost three hours, faced 122 balls, and struck four boundaries.
The Jamaicans again, ran into problems, when Kevin Stoute, a clubmate of Hinds, joined Brathwaite, and they added 54 for the fourth wicket.
But Lambert claimed the second new ball when it became due, put his fast bowlers to work, and recuperating West Indies antagonist Jerome Taylor removed Brathwaite hit wicket playing back to a short, rising ball. The teenaged opener struck just seven fours from 242 balls in just over 5 ½ hours of batting.
Earlier, the Jamaicans were dismissed inside the first half-hour, after the visitors resumed from their overnight position of 316 for five, and the bottom half of their batting caved-in.
Dave Bernard Jr. fell for his overnight 84, and Chadwick Walton was not out on 34, but none of the other batsman reached double figures.
Lanky fast bowler Jason Holder finished with five wickets for 58 runs from 21 overs, and West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards gave signs he was getting back to his old tricks, with three for 80 from 20.2 overs.
The Barbadians are seventh on the eight-team ladder with six points, and the Jamaicans are tied with the Lions and T&T on 18 points, but they are effectively third under the tie-breaker rules of the competition.
Since the turn of the century, the two sides have contested 16 matches.
They each have won seven, with the other two ending in draws, either side gaining first innings points in those.
