DESPITE the loss of the entire first session due to wet conditions, skipper Courtney Browne wasted little time in hastening to his 13th Division 1 century yesterday.It led a recovery that saw LIME close on to 207 for six after being reduced to 39 for four by Guardian General Barbados Youth in the early stages of their fifth-round LIME Division 1 match.Browne came to the crease in the 12th over with the score on 38 for three and watched from the non-striker’s end as Aubrey Towler fell one over later.The visitors, who were invited to bat after the delayed start, lost four wickets for just 12 runs in the space of six overs and faced a crisis in the prevailing overcast conditions.Browne’s response was to launch a savage attack against the youthful bowling that has led to an unbeaten knock of 119 and a vast improvement in his side’s fortunes.The Youth had little hesitation in inviting their guests to bat in overcast conditions once new skipper Mario Rampersaud won the toss.Openers Randy Thomas and Rory Weekes got the innings off to a steady start before being parted when Thomas lifted a drive to be well taken at mid on by Chris St Hill off the bowling of left arm seamer Jerome Jones and spark the top order collapse.Browne’s first 50 required just 34 balls and contained five fours and four hefty sixes as he and Dario Cummins, a “Youth” player earlier in the season, built the base of their eventual 131 run stand.The pair posted the 100 run partnership in 67 minutes from 101 deliveries with Cummins a virtual spectator to Browne’s belligerent strokeplay.With rain threatening to impede his march to the coveted ton, Browne endured a few anxious moments in the nineties against offspinner Jabari Mascoll before arriving at the landmark with a gentle push into the offside for a single off the 74th ball he faced. He had struck some eight fours and six sixes in 105 minutes’ batting and lost Cummins (27) to a catch at the wicket off Mascoll.Newly appointed West Indies selector Browne has so far slammed ten fours and six sixes in his 97 ball, 131 minutes knock.
