GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – A stubborn 67-run seventh wicket partnership put Barbados within sight of first innings points against Jamaica on a rain-hit second day of their final round TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge match yesterday.
Struggling at 145 for six in the final session in reply to Jamaica’s 259, all-rounder Justin Greaves and Mario Rampersad came to their side’s rescue to propel them to 212 for six at the close at the Gros Islet Playing Field.
Earlier, Jamaica failed to build on their overnight 227 for six and added just 32 additional runs before being dismissed. Left arm seamer Ravindra Persaud finished with five for 42 while lively medium pacer Kyle Mayers picked up three for 50.
Barbados then squandered a solid start to find themselves floundering in the late evening as leg-spinner Donovan Nelson tore through the innings to finish with four for 81. Greaves then struck a crucial unbeaten 40 and Rampersad, 29, to frustrate the Jamaican attack
While Greaves counted five fours off 131 balls in just over 2-1/2 hours at the crease, Rampersad stroked three fours in an innings that spanned 81 balls and 101 minutes.
Their partnership left Barbados with just 47 runs to get to secure first innings points on the final day Monday.
With rain stealing 52 minutes in the first session, Barbados crept to lunch at 17 without loss but afterward Clint St Hill (26) and captain Kraigg Brathwaite (20) batted soundly to provide a platform of 53 for the first wicket. However, both fell in quick succession to leave Barbados struggling on 54 for two. St Hill fell first, bowled by one that kept low from fast bowler Nicholson Gordon while Brathwaite edged Nelson to Jermaine Blackwood at first slip.
