Brathwaite puts Barbados on verge of lead against Guyana

Opener Shian Brathwaite.

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – West Indies Under-19 batsman Shian Brathwaite struck an aggressive half-century to put Barbados on the verge of first innings lead over Guyana on the opening day of their third round Regional Under-19 Championship match here yesterday.

The 17-year-old, who featured in the Regional Super50 earlier this year, smashed 86 from just 76 deliveries as Barbados ended the day on 140 for five, just two runs adrift of Guyana’s first innings total.

Opener Shian Brathwaite.

Kilano Brathwaite was unbeaten on 24 while off-spinner Kevin Sinclair picked up two for 19.

Sent in earlier in the contest at Verchilds, Guyana were undermined for 140 by leg-spinner Shavon Brooks (3-28) and left-arm spinner Camarie Boyce (3-33) who grabbed three wickets apiece.

Off-spinner Dante Niles (2-25) and fast bowler Jarion Hoyte (2-30) supported with two wickes each.

Kevelon Anderson made 26 and opener Raymond Perez, 23, but no other batsman passed 20. Guyana were 59 for one at one stage but lost their last nine wickets for 81 runs.

Brathwaite then stunned the Guyanese bowlers with a brutal assault, clobbering 11 fours and four sixes. He put on 32 for the first wicket with Nico Reifer (8), 24 for the second wicket with Marc Cyrus (6) before adding 55 for the fourth wicket with Kilano who has so far struck three fours in a 55-ball knock.