NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Jonathan Carter’s 82 put Barbados within sight of first innings points for the first time this season but off-spinner Justin Athanaze kept the Leewards Islands in contention on the second day of their sixth round Regional First Class match here yesterday.
Replying to the Leewards’ 277 all out, Barbados finished the day on 245 for seven, just 32 runs adrift of their target at the Vivian Richards Stadium.
Barbados’ innings was built upon Carter’s fine innings which contained 13 fours and a six, and spanned 125 balls and 139 minutes.
The West Indies A left-hander shared an excellent stand of 96 with all-rounder Kevin Stoute (27) to lift Barbados after they tottered at 108 for four. Openers Jason Haynes stroked a well-crafted 55 and Kraigg Brathwaite got 20, to give Barbados a solid start of 38, before the Leewards struck twice in quick succession to grab the advantage.
Brathwaite edged seamer Lionel Baker to captain Steve Liburd at first slip and with one run added, captain Ryan Hinds edged the fourth ball he faced to Liburd in the same position off Athanaze (3-55), to depart without scoring.
Ironically, Hinds had been dropped the previous delivery by Liburd.
Haynes, who struck four fours and a six off 123 balls in 152 minutes at the crease, posted 39 for the third wicket with Shamarh Brooks (21) to carry Barbados to the relative safety of lunch at 69 for two.
After the interval, Brooks was trapped lbw by leg-spinner Anthony Martin at 78 for three and when Haynes missed one from Athanaze and was also lbw, Barbados were in a spot of bother at 108 for four.
Carter and Stoute combined to defy the Leewards attack, carrying their side past the 200-run mark before being separated. Both were plucked out within 10 runs of each other by 20-year-old Kelbert Walters (2-37) to leave Barbados on 214 for six.
Nineteen-year-old Shane Dowrich then stroked an unbeaten 31 from 78 balls with four fours to keep Barbados afloat.
Earlier, the Leewards resumed their innings at 277 for nine but it lasted one ball as left-armer Pedro Collins bowled Martin for 42 with the first delivery of the day to finish with two for 25.
