Late wickets peg Barbados back

The Barbados Pride closed the day on 214 for seven with left-handed opener Alleyne getting ample support from Kenroy Williams who scored 46. Red Force leg spinner Imran Khan continued where he left off in the last match against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, grabbing 3/49 in 21 overs to finish as the top bowler on the opening day. Among the other wicket takers were Yannick Ottley (1/13), Jon Russ Jagessar (1/55) and Marlon Richards (1/24). TT could have dismissed Barbados yesterday but they failed to hang on to numerous half-chances during the day.

Alleyne and fellow opener Omar Phillips got the Pride off to a solid start, putting on 45 for the first wicket before Phillips was caught by Jeremy Solozano off Khan for 22. Shamarh Brooks, who has been playing club cricket for many years in Trinidad, did not last long as Richards removed him for a duck.

Alleyne found an able partner in West Indies Test batsman Roston Chase as the pair put on 73 for the third wicket in a partnership dominated by Alleyne. After guiding the Pride to 66/2 at lunch, Alleyne and Chase took the score to 127 before the latter was bowled for 21 by Khan attempting a pull shot.

The loss of Chase did not slow down Alleyne as he eased into the eighties with a four through covers off Khan. Barbados were reduced to 141/4 when Kevin Stoute was trapped leg-before for three attempting a sweep shot to give Khan his third wicket of the day.

The two quick wickets stemmed the flow of runs for the Pride before the tea break. Alleyne presented a half chance to the Red Force as his sweep shot ballooned into the air but Solozano running to his left could not get his hands on the ball.

After taking the Pride to 155/4 at tea, Alleyne failed to add to his score in the final session as spin bowler Jagessar got the vital breakthrough as Alleyne was caught by wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo for 88. Alleyne faced 201 deliveries in his 235-minute stay at the crease with 12 fours.

Kenroy Williams and Justin Greaves rode their luck in a 51-run sixth wicket partnership that took the visitors past 200 as TT failed to capitalise on their half chances.

Firstly, Greaves edged through first and second slip off Roshon Primus, before Primus misjudged a catch fielding at mid on. The partnership started to grow as Williams struck two fours through the leg side off Primus. Shortly after missing a difficult caught and bowled opportunity, Red Force captain Ottley found the breakthrough, getting rid of Williams caught by Katwaroo for 46 off 103 deliveries. Williams’ knock comprised five fours.

Greaves was the next to go as a mix up between himself and Mario Rampersaud led to his demise.

Attempting a single, Greaves was halfway down the wicket before he was sent back by Rampersaud and Solozano with an excellent throw in the covers ran out Greaves for 17. Rampersaud and Kemar Roach took Barbados to the close with Rampersaud on three and Roach not off the mark.

Play resumes today from 10 am.