BARBADOS WILL OPPOSE Trinidad and Tobago in the final of the NAGICO Super50 tomorrow after defeating Guyana by seven wickets in their semi-final clash at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain yesterday.
A strong bowling performance from the Bajans, including Fidel Edwards’ four for 16, saw Guyana being dismissed for 181 off 48.4 overs after Guyanese skipper Christopher Barnwell won the toss and elected to bat.
In their reply, the Bajans, led by contrasting half centuries from Man of the Match Dwayne Smith (61 off 37 balls) and Kraigg Brathwaite (55 off 122 balls), reached 182 for three off 46 overs.
Smith smacked three sixes and nine fours to get his team off to a good start before Guyana clawed their way back.
He hit a six over wide long on off Permaul to get to his half century before cutting one to point for four and pulling the next ball to midwicket for another boundary as Barbados raced to 81.
But it was Permaul who got the final laugh against Smith, trapping the right- hander lbw off the final ball of the over with his team needing a further 101 runs to win.
The Barbados innings slowed after that as Kevin Stoute was caught and bowled by Permaul for one and Jonathan Carter was lbw to Devendra Bishoo for nine.
Brathwaite soldiered on, hitting the odd boundary as Barbados inched slowly towards their target, using up almost all the overs to ensure they reached the final. He hit five fours.
He was partnered by Kenroy Williams, who was not out on 40 off 69 balls when the Bajans finally reached their target.
When Guyana batted, Narsingh Deonarine hit a patient 58 off 107 balls to help them recover from a disastrous start to post something competitive.
The Guyanese failed to cope with the pace of Edwards and Jason Holder (two for 35) as the pair combined to topple the top order inside the first ten overs.
Reeling on 26 for four, Guyana were kept alive by Deonarine and his skipper Christopher Barnwell (37), who put on 65 runs for the fifth wicket, taking the score to 91 in the 28th over before Barnwell was caught off the bowling of Kenroy Williams.
Benn sent back Royston Crandon for zero before a 55-run stand between Deonarine and Anthony Bramble (34) kept the fans interested and Veerasammy Permaul (19) hit two sixes to get them past 150.
Then Edwards came back to end the innings, running out both batsmen before removing Ronsford Beaton for zero.
