OFF-SPINNER Ryan Austin snared four wickets to keep Sagicor UWI on course to retain the LIME Division 1 title but they met a measure of resistance from the Guardian General Barbados Youth on an engrossing second day of the final series yesterday.
Austin’s haul of four for 45 in 18 overs which took his tally to 70 wickets enabled UWI to gain two crucial bowling points as Barbados Youth ended the day on 221 for five off 62 overs, replying to UWI’s imposing overweek first innings total of 453 for seven declared.
Left-hander Kyle Mayers has so far struck seven fours and two sixes off 92 balls in an unbeaten two-hour knock of 57, featuring in an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 55 with Craig St Hill (14 not out) after opener Shane Parris made a stroke-filled 67 at the top of the order.
UWI will need to take at least three more wickets for a third bowling point in the remaining 13 overs before the 75-over cut-off for bonus points and, then go on to wrap up the Barbados Youth’s innings to be assured of winning the title for the second straight year.
Should they fail to get those wickets during that period but still gain first innings lead, they may have to share the title with Super Centre Spartan, who are almost certain to defeat Old Brigand Dover.
Play had started 50 minutes late after groundsman Nigel Newton showed his skills by cutting out a wet area on the pitch, and replacing it with a dry patch from the side of the square after water seeped under the covers following a brief morning shower.
The youngsters lost opener Akeem Springer early for a “duck” but Parris struck 13 fours and a six off 105 balls while taking the score to 103 for one at tea with Roston Chase who gifted his hand for 42 on resumption, pulling a long hop straight to the lone fielder on the mid-wicket boundary.
Austin, who had been belatedly introduced for a solitary over before the interval, also accounted for Parris, Kemar Brathwaite and captain Mario Rampersaud.
Parris, who had played some lovely shots, hitting both left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh and pacer Gilford Moore for three boundaries in an over, edged a drive to Floyd Reifer while Brathwaite gave a bat-pad catch to short leg and Rampersaud edged a pull onto his stumps.
