KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Steady middle and lower batting saved Barbados from embarrassment and lifted them to a competitive total but the Leeward Islands were making a strong reply on the opening day of their second round TCL Group West Indies three-day Cup match yesterday.
Tottering at one point on 30 for four, Barbados recovered well to make 259 and at the close, the Leewards were 63 for one at Elletson Road.
The defending champions, winning the toss and opting to bat on a good pitch, found themselves reeling on 30 for four and then 68 for five, but a stubborn sixth-wicket partnership of 69 between top-scorer Kyle Mayers (60) and Raymond Reifer (39), revived their fortunes.
The two left-handers came together after captain Jason Holder, in partnership with Reifer, had associated in a fifth-wicket partnership of 38.
When Holder was dismissed for 24, Reifer and Mayers proceeded to dominate, stroking the ball to all parts of the ground. The partnership was ended when Reifer was caught at the wicket by Jahmar Hamilton off the bowling of off-spinner Tyson Osbourne.
Mayers continue to play well and found a very able partner in wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich who continued to impress with his batting.
The duo shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 40 before Mayers was caught by Rakeem Cornwall at mid-off off spinner Haydn Walsh. His innings included 11 fours, required 74 balls and spanned 92 minutes.
Dowrich, meanwhile, was dominant with the lower order as he stroked his way to 43 including five fours.
When he departed, Marques Clarke and Jomel Warrican were also associated in another crucial ninth-wicket partnership of 47 as the Barbados tail wagged.
Clarke got 27 with two fours while Warrican hit five fours in his unbeaten 27.
Opener fast bowler Quinton Boatswain was the most successful bowler for the Leewards with four for 34 while Walsh helped out with two for 78.
Faced with a tricky minimum of 13 overs to the close, Leewards lost opener Tashmail Mills who was caught on the long on boundary by Mayers off off-spinner Roston Chase for 28.
Kejel Tyson was 23 not out.
