Shillingford wrecks Barbados as Windwards win big

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford routed Barbados with an eight-wicket to propel leaders Windward Islands to an emphatic 216-run victory inside three days in their fifth round Regional Four-Day Championship contest here yesterday.

Fresh from a Man-of-the-Series performance against Zimbabwe, Shillingford grabbed eight for 82 as Barbados, set an improbable 422 for victory, fell for 205 at Kensington Oval.

Out-of-favour Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite hit a fighting unbeaten 91 in a 68-run opening partnership with Rashidi Boucher who stroked 41.

However, Shillingford once again proved unplayable and once he was introduced, Barbados lost their last nine wickets for 137 runs.

He finished with match figures of 12 for 102.

Earlier, prolific opener Devon Smith carried his overnight 123 to 150 not out before the Windwards declared their second innings at 301 for four.

The left-hander faced 269 balls in 5-1/2 hours at the crease, striking 21 fours and extending his third wicket stand with Andre Fletcher to 62.

Fletcher hit 24 from 70 balls with two fours before edging left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn to Ashley Nurse at slip.

Barbados began positively with Brathwaite and Boucher raising hopes of taking the game into Tuesday’s final day.

Brathwaite faced 266 balls in 281 minutes with 11 fours and a six while Boucher carved out five boundaries in an innings lasting 70 balls and 78 minutes.

Shillingford broke the stand when he had Boucher caught by Garey Mathurin at long on and then removed captain Kirk Edwards in his next over when the right hander picked out Mathurin at mid-on again off the second ball he had faced, with no runs added.

In quick time, Barbados collapsed to 124 for six before Brathwaite stitched up the innings in a 59-run, seventh wicket partnership with Jason Holder who stroked a daring 38 from 46 balls with six fours and a six.

Holder played back to off-spinner Liam Sebastien and was lbw at 183 for seven, and the end came swiftly with the last four wickets going down for just 22 runs.