Barbados’ middle-order batsman Kyle Hope registered his ninth Division 1 century yesterday to guide ESA Field Pickwick to 256 all out in reply to Guardian General Barbados Youth’s 206 last week.
Barbados Youth will resume today’s final day on 29 without loss still 21 runs in arrears.
The right-handed Hope made a magnificent 116 after he went to the crease at No. 3, when Jamal Phillips was caught off Daniel Rogers for 25. Off-spinner Rogers, who once represented Pickwick, took two for 52 from 26.3 economical overs.
Hope, the leading scorer in the last two seasons with 1 194 and 883 runs, respectively, shared a valuable fourth-wicket stand of 50 with Jamar Phillips who made 13.
His knock was punctuated with 16 fours off 164 balls in 212 minutes. His half-century came from 93 balls, with six fours in 100 minutes.
He played some fine strokes on both sides of the wicket off the front and back foot. Pickwick were 149 for four at tea with Hope on 76 and fellow Barbados player Ryan Layne six.
The gifted 22-year-old brought up the landmark 40 minutes after the break, with a couple to fine-leg off Chaim Holder. Hope and leg-spinning all-rounder Layne, with an enterprising 46, took their attractive fifth-wicket stand to 95 before Layne was very well caught by Jonathan Drakes at deep mid-wicket off Holder. He struck four fours and two straight sixes from 61 deliveries.
Off-spinner Holder, who bagged six for 70 from 24.4 probing overs, struck thrice in his 20th over, including the wicket of Hope as Pickwick quickly lost four wickets for 17 runs.
Hope was magnificently taken by a diving Drakes at deep mid-wicket from a pull. Rookie 17-year-old Combermerian Holder took his second consecutive five-wicket haul in only his second match at this level.
He removed Rascelle Gittens and Jamar Yearwood without scoring and bowled Rasheed Edwin who added 17 precious runs with Jade Padmore (15 not out) to see Pickwick to three important batting points.
