Barbados defeat Jamaica by 40 runs

KINGSTON: Barbados beat Jamaica by 40 runs yesterday on the final day of their third-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match at Sabina Park. The Bajans, who won their third straight match, sealed the victory 45 minutes after tea. SCORES: Barbados 198 and 251 vs Jamaica 205 and 204.

The end for Jamaica came when last man Andrew Richardson was caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn for four. Barbados lead the eight-team tournament with the maximum 36 points from three matches. Jamaica are in fourth place with 19 points. Fastbowler Tino Best was named “Man-of-the-Match.” He had eight wickets for 87 runs and 42 not out in the second innings. Barbados captain Courtney Browne said he was confident of a victory despite Jamaica starting the day at 39 for one, chasing 245 for victory. “It was always going to be difficult to get over 200 runs on the last day especially against Tino Best,” Browne said. Nurse had a second innings return of three for 48 from 16 overs. Best had three for 53 from 19 overs and Benn had three for 21 from 11.5 overs.

Keith Hibbert’s dismissal for 52 three minutes after tea swung the match back in the visitors’ favour. He was caught behind by wicketkeeper Browne to make the score 178 for seven. Hibbert had put Jamaica back in the hunt with a seventh wicket stand worth 72 runs with Maurice Kepple, who top-scored with 65. He was seventh out, caught by Browne chasing a delivery from Best. Hibbert’s innings included eight fours and a straight six off medium-pacer Antonio Mayers. He batted for 75 minutes and faced 54 balls. Barbados play West Indies “B” at home in the next round starting on Friday and Jamaica face Kenya in Grenada.

Summarised scores:
Barbados 198 (Ryan Hinds 56, Antonio Mayers 47, Sherwin Campbell 26, Sulieman Benn 24; Ryan Cunningham 4-49, Gareth Breese 3-52, Tamar Lambert 2-6) and 251 (Martin Nurse 77, Tino Best 42 not out, Ryan Hinds 30, Shawn Graham 25, Floyd Reifer 23, Sulieman Benn 22; Andrew Richardson 4-36, Gareth Breese 3-79).
Jamaica 205 (Dave Bernard 81, Brenton Parchment 27, Mario Ventura 24, Tamar Lambert 21; Tino Best 19.1-6-44-5, Pedro Collins 2-42, Sulieman Benn 2-47) and 204 (Maurice Kepple 65, Keith Hibbert 51, Brenton Parchment 36; Sulieman 3-21, Ryan Nurse 3-48, Tino Best 3-53).