SHANE DOWRICH completed a masterful 166 and Randy Thomas hit a solid 70 as bowlers toiled for most of the second day of the first Barbados trial cricket match at St Catherine’s Sports and Social Club in Bayfield, St Philip, yesterday.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Dowrich added 51 to his overnight 115 not out in a defiant last-wicket stand of 148 with Nikolai Charles.
The pair took Jason Holder’s team from 315 for nine at the start of the day’s play to 389 all out, after the innings had slumped to 54 for five early on the first day.
The 19-year-old Dowrich, who made his first-class debut last year, struck 23 attractive fours and one six in his 210-ball knock in 252 minutes.
He was eventually trapped leg before wicket, sweeping at leg-spinner Shadd Simmons.
Charles, who did not hit a boundary but gave Dowrich admirable support after coming in with his partner on just 51, was left not out on 29 off 106 balls in 164 minutes.
Thomas, a one-time Barbados selectee, then reminded the selectors that he is worthy of consideration at some stage of the upcoming 2011 Headley/Weekes Regional First-class Championship, as Shamarh Brooks’ team replied strongly on 143 for two at the close off 51 overs on the placid pitch and fast outfield.
He played several handsome drives and some flashing cuts, especially off his LIME teammate and seam bowler Corey Edwards while dominating an opening stand of 93 with left-hander Jason Haynes.
Haynes made 36 off 87 balls in 133 minutes at the crease before he was bowled off his pad by Holder.
Thomas was 48 at tea and on resumption posted his 50 off 93 balls in 118 minutes with eight fours. But with a century seemingly there for the taking, he chased a wide delivery angled across him by the experienced Pedro Collins and edged a low catch to wicketkeeper Jason Smith.
Overall, Thomas hit ten fours in his innings which spanned 153 balls and 196 minutes.
In the final over of the day, Roston Chase survived a difficult chance to Jason Greene at short leg off leg-spinner Ryan Layne, who asked a few questions but was wicketless in 11 tidy overs for just 14 runs.
Chase will resume today on 12, alongside Kofi Hurdle (18 not out).
A shower during the lunch interval delayed the resumption by an hour, resulting in the loss of 15 overs.
With the Sagicor High Performance Centre (HPC) reopening for a second training session, which is expected to last two weeks, the two captains as well as Dowrich are expected to be unavailable when play resumes today and on tomorrow’s final day.
Their absence in the middle of a national trial match is a serious situation which the Barbados Cricket Association must address with the officials at the HPC, since in the case of Brooks and Holder, who are not certaintees in the Barbados team, it could ruin their chances of playing in the upcoming regional season.
Barbados Under-19 skipper Kraigg Brathwaite will take over from Holder and Haynes from Brooks as captain.
