BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Left-hander Devon Smith stroked his 22nd first class century and third of the season as leaders Windward Islands dominated Barbados on the second day of their contest at Kensington Oval here yesterday.
The 31-year-old Smith ended the day on 121 not out, an innings that helped the visitors to 252 for two at the close – an overall lead of 372 runs heading into today’s third day of the Regional Four-Day game. He put on 170 for the first wicket with Tyrone Theophile who missed out on three figures when he fell for a career-best 91, his third half-century of the season.
The Windwards had earlier dismissed Barbados for an embarrassing 64, after the hosts resumed the day on 33 for five.
Kevin Stoute, unbeaten on 16 overnight, top scored with 33 before he was removed by West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford who finished with four for 20.
Fast bowler Nelon Pascal picked up three for 29 while left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters claimed two for nine.
The Windwards needed just 29 balls before making their first strike when wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich drove at Shillingford and was taken at slip by Smith for three, with the score on 49. Stoute, who batted nearly an hour-and-a-half, faced 77 balls and struck four fours, got one from Shillingford that bounced, and popped a catch to close-in fielder Johnson Charles. The last four wickets then tumbled for the addition of four runs, as the Windwards took a handy 120-run lead in the second innings. Barbados’ hopes of an early breakthrough were then thwarted as Smith and Theophile put their heads down to help the Windwards stamp their authority on the game.
Smith, who has also scored a century in the Super50 tournament this season, struck 18 fours in a knock that has lasted just over 4-1/2 hours and consumed 223 balls while Theophile, the more aggressive of the two, managed 11 fours and two sixes off 141 balls in 174 minutes at the crease.
The 23-year-old Theophile was in sight of his maiden century when he nicked seamer Jason Holder behind.
Johnson Charles, whose 23 came from 35 balls, joined Smith to further frustrate Barbados in a 59-run, second wicket stand.
