KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jonathan Carter fell agonisingly short of a century on 99 as Barbados took a giant step towards the capture of the Regional Four-Day title on the third day of the Final against reigning four-time champions Jamaica here yesterday.
The left-hander added just three to his overnight 96 before falling early in the day’s play but Barbados overcame a batting slide to snatch first innings points, reaching 291 all out in response to Jamaica’s first innings of 273.
At the close, Jamaica batting a second time were 133 for two, 115 runs ahead, to set up an enthralling last day at Sabina Park.
Donovan Pagon was unbeaten on 42, opener Brenton Parchment hit 42 while Xavier Marshall scored 22.
Resuming the day on 197 for three, Barbados were undermined by fast bowler Andrew Richardson who took five for 71 and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller who finished with four for 63.
Barbados lost Carter in the third over of the day, caught at fine leg by Sheldon Cotterell, hooking a delivery from Richardson after facing 179 balls and hitting 10 fours.
It was the second time in his career he had fallen one short of his maiden first class century after a similar occurrence against Combined Campuses and Colleges last season.
Dwayne Smith, on 16 overnight, made 29 before falling lbw to Richardson and wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich perished first ball, caught and bowled, to leave Barbados on 216 for five.
Carlos Brathwaite and captain Shamarh Brooks, both all-rounders, then added 32 for the sixth wicket to put Barbados in sight of their target.
Brooks made 19 before edging Miller to Parchment at slip as Barbados then lost three wickets for 21 runs to stumble to 269 for nine, still four short of the lead.
Tino Best (11 not out) and Sulieman Benn (10) then held their nerve to get Barbados the five runs they needed, reaching 285 for nine at the lunch interval of a three-hour session.
Play started half hour early after rain allowed just 18 minutes in the final session on Saturday, and was extended by half-hour with Barbados nine wickets down. After the break, Nikita Miller took the last wicket to fall when he removed Benn to catch at midwicket by captain Tamar Lambert.
Parchment and Marshall then posted 55 for the first wicket before Marshall fell on the stroke of tea for 22 off 53 balls with a four and a six.
Rain then prevented play until 5 pm (6 pm Eastern Caribbean time), and Jamaica pushed on steadily afterwards, with Parchment and Pagon adding 45 for the second wicket.
Scoreboard
JAMAICA 1st Innings 273
BARBADOS 1st Innings
(overnight 197 for three)
O Phillips lbw b Richardson 0
R Boucher c wkp H Miller b N Miller 52
K Hope c Bernard b Richardson 13
J Carter not out 96
D Smith not out 16
D Smith lbw b Richardson 29
*S Brooks c Parchment b Miller 19
+S Dowrich c and b Richardson 0
C Brathwaite b Miller 27
J Searles lbw b Brown 6
S Benn c Lambert b Miller 10
T Best not out 11
Extras (b5, lb5, w2, nb13) 25
TOTAL (all out, 101.1 overs) 291
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-30, 3-174, 4-203, 5-216, 6-216, 7-248, 8-259, 9-269, 10-291.
Bowling: Richardson 19-3-71-5, Cotterell 9-1-45-0, N Miller 39.2-12-63-4, Brown 20-3-50-1, Bernard 11-0-38-0, Lambert 3-0-14-0.
JAMAICA 2nd Innings
B Parcment c wkp Dowrich b Benn 42
X Marshall lbw b Brathwaite 22
D Pagon not out 42
D Hyatt not out 10
Extras (lb12, w1, nb4) 17
TOTAL (2 wkts, 31 overs) 133
Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-100.
Bowling: Best 4-0-21-0, Searles 5-0-23-0, Brathwaite 12-1-40-1, Smith 5-2-21-0, Benn 5-1-16-1.
Position: Jamaica lead by 115 runs with eight wickets intact.
Toss: Jamaica.
Umpires: Nigel Duguid (Guyana), Peter Nero (Trinidad & Tobago).
