Dasrath stars to put Bajans on the run

BRIDGETOWN: Sherwin Campbell lashed an unbeaten 57 and Ryan Hinds struck 48 not out yesterday to lead Barbados’ pursuit of a first-innings lead over Guyana on the second day of the Carib Beer International Challenge cricket semi-final. The pair steered the home team to 138 for three at close, leaving the match evenly poised. Earlier, Guyana stretched their overnight 248 for seven to 310 all out largely due to all-rounder Damodar Dasrath’s accomplished 51. Medium pacer Dasrath returned to snare both Barbados’ openers as the recently crowned Carib Beer Cup champions slipped to 50 for three.

But the 33-year-old Campbell, who played 52 Tests for the West Indies between 1994 and 2002, hit four fours in a defiant knock that spanned 168 balls in just under four hours. He and left-hander Hinds shared a vital, unbroken stand of 88 for the fourth wicket. The 23-year-old Hinds blasted five boundaries off 149 balls in 157 minutes. Dasrath claimed both Martin Nurse and Kurt Wilkinson with the new ball to leave Barbados’ reply stuttering at 29 for two. Left-hander Nurse (4) edged a cut to the wicket-keeper, while Wilkinson (15) was leg before wicket playing across the line. Leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo put Guyana further on top when he bowled Floyd Reifer (9) behind his back as his missed a sweep.

But Campbell and Hinds blunted the Guyana spinners for the entire final session on a slow pitch. Dasrath earlier showed the surface was still good for batting as he helped squeeze useful runs from the Guyana lower order. The visitors added 62 runs before being bowled out on the stroke on lunch.  Dasrath’s half century was spiced with three fours and occupied 110 balls in 166 minutes. Barbados’ first day stars, left-arm pacers Pedro Collins (four for 85) and Ian Bradshaw (two for 43), failed to make an impact. Two run outs helped Barbados’ cause before Hinds’ left-arm spin claimed Dasrath to end the Guyana innings.