Bajan batsmen make merry against TT

BRIDGETOWN: Table leaders Barbados claimed first-innings points over second-placed Trinidad and Tobago before stumps were drawn on the opening day of their key fifth-round match of the Carib Beer 2003 regional cricket Series yesterday.

Sent in to bat on the newly re-laid Kensington Oval pitch, TT were dismissed for 147 in their first innings about 15 minutes before tea. Imran Jan hit the top score of 53 for the visitors, as fast bowler Tino Best and left-arm spin bowler Sulieman Benn captured four wickets apiece for the hosts. Given all of the final period to lay the groundwork for its response after Trinidad lost their last nine wickets for 51 runs, Barbados reached 148 without loss with Philo Wallace undefeated on 75 and Sherwin Campbell unbeaten on 59.

The two Barbados opening batsmen batted with enterprise against some TT bowling that lacked menace. Wallace has so far struck 13 fours and one six from 112 balls in two and a quarter hours, while Campbell has hit four fours and one six from 96 balls. Earlier, TT suffered an early setback when left-hander Andy Jackson was caught at short leg off Bradshaw in the second over of the day. But Jan, another left-hander, and Dwayne Bravo batted with some aplomb to carry their team to 91 for one at lunch. Jan and Bravo set upon some loose bowling from the Barbadians to gather runs at a rapid rate before the interval, but the lunch interval appeared to energise the Barbadians and they came out charging and were rewarded. Best scuppered the TT middle-order with his four wickets in the space of 18 balls to enhance his reputation as a young fast bowler of promise. He claimed Jan with the first ball of his second spell when the left-hander miscued a hook and was caught at mid-on to leave TT on 96 for two. Jan, who stroked five fours and a six from 98 balls in just over three hours, was soon followed by Bravo bowled behind his back for 31 to leave TT on 96 for three. The third over of Best’s second spell proved to be the most devastating. He had Lincoln Roberts caught behind off the second ball, then had Zaheer Ali fend the third ball, a short pitch, to short leg. Then off the last ball of the over, Navin Chan was also caught behind to leave the visitors 102 for six.

Trinidad captain Daren Ganga kept the score rolling with a few meaty strokes, but Benn and Ian Bradshaw shared the last four wickets — Ganga included — to make sure that there would be no comeback story for the visitors. Best ended with four wickets for 36 runs from nine overs, and Benn offered essential support with four for 36 from 16.4 overs. Bradshaw claimed the other two wickets for 18 runs from 14 overs. Barbados lead the eight-team Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series with 36 points, five more than Trinidad.