TT tighten grip on Bajans

Trinidad dismissed Cup leader Barbados for 167 on the stroke of tea to earn a first-innings lead of 92, and reached stumps with their second innings at 145 for one wicket, a lead of 237.

Also, Brian Lara apologised over the public address system at the Carlton Club before the day’s play, for angrily slapping a plastic chair with his bat on Thursday in reaction to his dismissal for 54.

Match referee Carlyle Carter spoke to Trinidad and Tobago team management and Lara and took no further action.

Simmons compiled his second 50 of the match, ending unbeaten on 73. West Indies allrounder Bravo, promoted to open, regained some form in an even 50 off 44 balls.

Earlier, fast bowler Mervyn Dillon took three for 29 as Barbados never fully clawed out of their precarious overnight position of 15 for four. New ball mate Richard Kelly claimed two for 23, and Bravo made two crucial interventions on his way to two for 44.

Barbados enjoyed a profitable morning as left-hander Floyd Reifer and nightwatchman Ryan Austin stalled the Trinidadians.

The pair batted throughout the session and lunched at 83 for four.

They carried their fifth-wicket stand to 76 before Reifer chased a wide delivery from Bravo and edged behind. Reifer hit six fours and occupied 119 balls for his 42.

Bravo also accounted for Alcindo Holder cheaply to put Trinidad back in command.

Austin, a regular tailender, was closing in on an uncommon half-century when he played back and was leg before to left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohammed. The right-hander struck three boundaries in a defiant 46 which spanned 167 balls and 202 minutes.

Wicketkeeper Patrick Browne (32) and Ryan Nurse (21) provided some resistance lower down but Trinidad and Tobago kept firm control.

Their grip was tightened through Simmons’ and Bravo’s enterprising opening stand of 93 in just 15.3 overs.

Bravo fell to a bat-pad catch just after hitting his eighth four to bring up his 50.

But Simmons and captain Daren Ganga maintained their team’s stranglehold with an undefeated partnership of 52.

Simmons slammed nine fours off 93 balls in just under two hours.