NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Pedro Collins spurred Barbados to a dramatic six-wicket victory over Leeward Islands with a memorable hat-trick in the WICB Regional first-class championship yesterday.
Collins removed opener Gavin Williams, Leewards captain Steve Liburd, and newcomer Kerry Mentore in successive balls, as Leewards, leading by 26 on first innings, were dismissed for 82 in their second innings about half-hour after the lunch interval on the third day of their sixth round match at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
The Barbados left-arm fast-medium bowler finished with three wickets for 15 from seven overs, and had to share centre stage with hometown boy Justin Athanaze.
The off-spinner had a notable day with the ball. He took two of the last three Barbados wickets with successive balls, and ended with five for 58 from 27 overs in the visitors’ first innings total of 251.
Athanaze then removed teenaged opener Kraigg Brathwaite with the first delivery in Barbados’ second innings to complete a hat-trick of his own, as he finished with two for 34 from 11 overs.
Barbados, chasing 109 for victory, reached the target about 35 minutes after tea, with left-hander Jonathan Carter driving Anthony Martin for a boundary to formalise his side’s first win of the season, and finished on 36 not out.
The result meant that Barbados earned 12 points and moved to 27, and Leewards gained four points and moved to 19.
Jason Peters led the way for Leewards with 23, but no other batsman on the home team passed 20, as Ryan Hinds, the Barbados captain, bowling left-arm spin, joined in the demolition with two for 15 from 4.2 overs, and Tino Best took two for 26 from five overs.
Collins grabbed his hat-trick early in the Leewards second innings to leave them tottering on 55 for six at lunch, after they needed 20 minutes to bring the Barbados first innings to a close.
The left-arm fast-medium bowler had Williams caught at first slip for 12, then trapped Liburd lbw for a duck without the batsman offering a stroke, and Mentore caught behind also for a duck to leave Leewards wobbling on 17 for two.
Fidel Edwards, Collins’ brother, tightened Barbados’ grip, when he had Jahmar Hamilton also caught behind for six, leaving Windwards 28 for four.
A smart piece of fielding from Collins ran Sherwin Peters out for nine, and Best bowled Athanaze for one put Barbados in firm control.
After the interval, things continued to fall apart for the Leewards, when Lionel Baker was caught at slip off Hinds for 11.
Best had Kelbert Walters also caught at first slip for four, and next over, Hinds had Martin caught behind for 11 to bring the innings a close, since opener Shane Jeffers was unable to bat because of a viral infection.
Barbados had a shaky start too, but they reached 64 for three at tea, knowing full well that they were on track for victory.
Brathwaite was lbw to Athanaze for three; Jason Haynes, his opening partner was caught at cover off Athanaze for 22, and Shamarh Brooks was lbw to leg-spinner Martin for 15 to leave Barbados 46 for three.
After the break, the intent from Hinds and Carter was clear, and they added to take Barbados within reach of the target.
But the Barbados captain played an atrocious stroke, and was caught close to the wicket for 24 before Carter ushered the visitors over the finish line.
Earlier, Barbados, starting the day on 245 for seven, got little sting out of their tail, as the last three wickets fell for one run, and they conceded first innings points for the sixth straight match.
Shane Dowrich, who resumed on 31, was left unbeaten on 34, after Edwards was bowled by Baker for three, Best was lbw to Athanaze for a duck, and Collins was caught at slip off Athanaze for first ball duck.
In the next round, Barbados will be strangers in their own land, when they face the Combined Campuses & Colleges at the Three Ws Oval, and Leewards travel to St. Lucia, where they meet Windward Islands at the Beausejour Cricket Ground. Both matches start on Friday.
