by ELVIS HOWARD at Cane Garden

RASHIDI BOUCHER HIT an enterprising 88 and Kemal Smith followed with an accomplished undefeated 64 to earn Guardian General Barbados Youth an honourable draw against Carib Carlton yesterday.

Resuming from an overweek 32 without loss, facing a deficit of 177, Barbados Youth reached 281 for seven when the match was called off with six of the mandatory 15 overs left.

Boucher added 60 for the first wicket with opener Kyle Corbin, who smashed pacer Trevor Ifill for four fours through the off side and a six over long leg before he fell to the same bowler for 36.

The in-form Roston Chase then added 62 for the second wicket with Boucher, who played some exciting strokes and timed the ball sweetly on both sides of the wicket.

Boucher took the attack to the Carlton bowlers, striking 12 fours and a six off 102 balls in 141 minutes before he was bowled by leg-spinner Dario Vaughan, who had also removed Chase for 18.

In the post-tea session, Jason Holder grew in confidence, striking eight fours in a knock of 40 but with the innings at the crossroads at 189 for five, wicketkeeper/batsman Kemal Smith batted impressively as he skilfully held the low-order together with a face-saving knock.

Batting in conditions familiar to him, the former Lester Vaughan and now Alexandra student, occupied the crease for 114 minutes, faced 92 deliveries and hit ten fours and a straight six.

Leg-spinner Dario Vaughan, who got the ball to spin and bounce, claimed four for 96 from 24 probing overs to be Carlton's best bowler.