Anthony Bramble yesterday stroked his second first-class half-century to keep the Guyana Jaguars alive after a well-organised bowling performance by Barbados restricted them to a first innings total of 261 in round three of the WICB Professional Cricket League’s (PCL) four-day tourney.
Before a disappointing crowd of a few dozen, the 23-year-old wicket-keeper bettered his highest first-class score of 64 with an elegant knock of 73 from 122 balls which featured nine fours and the only six of the Jaguars innings. West Indies Under-19 batsman Shimron Hetmyer missed out on a half-century but batted well for his 47 which included six fours while Rajendra Chandrika (31) with four boundaries and Chris Barnwell 24, were among the other top scorers.
At stumps, Barbados were 4-0 from two overs, trailing by 257 with Captain Carlos Brathwaite (2) and Kyle Corbin (2) set to resume their innings today. Earlier, all-rounder Ryan Hinds was the destroyer-in-chief with his slow left arm spin which yielded figures of 4-50, while all-rounder Dwayne Smith (2-20), Jomel Warrican (2-52) and a wicket apiece for Miguel Cummins and Brathwaite rounded out a cohesive bowling performance.
Prior to the commencement of play, a minute of silence was observed for Phil Hughes, the Australian batsman who tragically died a few days ago after being struck in the neck by a cricket ball during a Sheffield Shield club match. After the minute of silence the two sides took to the field with the Jaguars taking first strike.
The opening pair of Chandrika (31) and Trevon Griffith (15) managed a few boundaries between themselves before the skipper struck with a beauty which knocked over the stumps of the left-handed Griffith.
Hetmyer, who failed in his senior debut appearance last season then came to the middle but looked a completely different player, appearing to be more confident and along with Chandrika added 53 runs for the second wicket, taking the score to 74-2 before Smith accounted for the wicket of Chandrika who was trapped LBW.
The in-form Narsingh Deonarine (2) who has two centuries thus far, failed for the first time in the tournament when he was out caught at square-leg by Roston Chase compliments of Smith who picked up another wicket. At lunch, the Jaguars were 83-3 with Hetmyer playing responsibly for his 28 and skipper Vishaul Singh, in his debut as Guyana captain, yet to come off the mark.
When play resumed, the West Indies Under-19 opener who can be temperamental at times, succumbed to his naturally aggressive approach after smashing a boundary. He was given out LBW the next ball off Warrican.
Raymon Reifer (13), who was left unbeaten on 29 from the last match, failed in his efforts to launch any attack whatsoever against his former teammates and countrymen as he was bowled by Hinds after missing a drive, who prior to removing his fellow Barbadian, accounted for the wicket of Captain Singh who was also trapped leg before wicket.
Barnwell showed some guts during his brief stay, helping to take his side to 167-7 at the tea interval. Hinds continued to confound the Guyanese with his control and guile as he had Veerasammy Permaul (3) adjudged leg before wicket.
With their team under pressure for the first time in the tournament, Bramble and new man Devendra Bishoo faced a stiff task of taking their team to a decent first innings total against the red hot Barbadian bowlers.
The ever positive Bramble continued to play his shots and steered his team to the psychological 200-run mark and soon opened up by smashing the first six of the Guyana innings while Bishoo held up his end as he reached double figures.
The wicket-keeper/batsman then reached his 50
Caption: Anthony Bramble celebrates his second first-class half century
Shimron Hetmyer played well for his 47
Anthony Bramble on the attack during his innings of 73
Ryan Hinds 4 wickets put the Jaguars under pressure
Guyana Jaguars 1st innings
R Chandrika lbw b Braithwaite 31
T Griffith b Smith 15
S Hetmyer lbw b Warrican 47
N Deonarine c Chase b Smith 02
V Singh lbw b Hinds 21
R Reifer b Hinds 13
C Barnwell c wkp Dowdrich b Warrican 24
A Bramble lbw b Hinds 73
V Permaul lbw b Hinds 03
D Bishoo b Cummins 15
R Beaton not out 03
TOTAL: (10 wkts 91 overs) 261
EXTRAS: (nb6, lb4)
Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-74, 3-76, 4-105, 5-136, 6-139, 7-167, 8-174, 9-234, 10-261
Bowling: Cummins 12-1-63-1, Brathwaite 10-1-29-1, Nurse 10-1-38-0, Warrican 28-6-52-2, Smith 12-5-20-2, Hinds 17-5-50-4, Hope 2-0-15-0
Barbados 1st innings
K Corbin not out 02
C Brathwaite* not out 02
