Ton of hope for Bajans

DRIVING FORCE: Barbados captain Shai Hope driving through the off side during his century against Windwards at Queen’s Park. ((Picture by Kenmore Bynoe.))

By WAYNE HOLDER at Queen’s Park | Mon, July 30, 2012 - 12:05 AM

Captain Shai Hope led the way with an authoritative century as Barbados declared their first innings at 278 for eight after being held up by three lengthy interruptions due to unwelcomed showers while they sought to convert a strong first day position into one of control over the Windwards.

By the time skipper Hope who started yesterday 44 not out was adjudged lbw to off-spinner Kenneth Denbar for 101 the home team had already surpassed the Windwards’ 206 on the second day of their WICB Regional Under-19 match.

Asked to bat for a minimum of 14 overs in fading light the Windwards erased 32 of the 72-run deficit for the loss of opening bat Gidron Pope’s wicket with the fifth ball of the innings.

Hope and overnight not out partner Kemar Brathwaite duly attained their respective half-centuries with the former the first to the landmark off 97 balls with five fours while the latter stroked four boundaries in 135 minutes’ batting.

Windwards got their first success when left-arm spinner Larry Edward breached Brathwaite’s defence with an arm ball that struck the top of off stump after the right-handed pair had posted 110 for the third wicket.

The first interruption at around 11:30 a.m. lasted for 15 minutes and found the Barbados 175 for three and there was no further loss of wickets by the luncheon break, Hope moving to within 13 of a century and new batsman Jonathan Drakes on 15.

Another shower during the interval resulted in the loss of exactly one hour’s play.

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