Shane Dowrich hit a classy unbeaten 95 as Barbados continued their dominance over the Leeward Islands on the second day of their WICB rgional four-day match at Kensington Oval yesterday.
The diminutive former West Indies Under-19 player was left stranded when last man Jomel Warrican was dismissed 33 minutes before tea with Barbados reaching 317 all out in reply to the Leeward Islands’ 138.
Batting a second time, Leewards again struggled and reached 121 for five with wicketkeeper/batsman Devon Thomas not out on 25 and Hayden Walsh Jr. 14.
The visitors go into the final day today trailing by 58 with five wickets standing.
Dowrich, who started the day on six in partnership with Kyle Hope on 26, guided the lower order after Hope fell on the stroke of the first hour’s play for an attractive 63 made of 164 balls in 188 minutes. His maiden first-class half century included four boundaries.
Hope and Dowrich added 66 for the sixth wicket, a partnership that was broken when Hope, attempting to drive a leg-break from Walsh was caught at slip by Leewards’ captain Gavin Williams.
Christopher Jordan chipped a delivery from off-spinner Justin Athanaze to Austin Richards at mid-wicket with the score on 209 but Carlos Brathwaite batted fluently to reach 19 by lunch which was taken with Barbados on 241 for seven. Dowrich went to the break on an even 50, having reached the landmark off 106 balls in 135 minutes with four fours.
Dowrich and Brathwaite extended their eighth wicket partnership to 75 in the afternoon session before Brathwaite, trying to clear the mid-wicket boundary, was caught by Tonge, having scored 42 off 67 balls in 89, an innings that included four boundaries.
Sulieman Benn fell cheaply, caught by Javier Liburd at short mid-on off leg spinner Anthony Martin, leaving just the debutant Warrican to partner Dowrich.
The former Combermere student, who now represents ICBL Empire in the Division 1 competition defied the Leeward Islands bowlers for close to half-hour before edging a delivery from Tonge to Richards at slip.
Dowrich remained unbeaten on 95 made off 189 deliveries in 234 minutes. His innings was laced with ten boundaries.
Distraught at failing to see Dowrich to his century, Warrican was consoled by his former schoolmate as they left the field with Barbados having secured a huge lead of 179.
By tea, Leewards had already lost Liburd, caught at fine leg by Warrican off a short delivery from Brathwaite and the visitors went to the break at 19 for one.
Jordan removed Montcin Hodge, smartly caught at second slip by Brooks.
Richards counter attacked effectively, benefitting from a chance to Benn at slip off Jordan when 22. He reached his 50 off 69 balls in 97 minutes with nine fours but was then lbw to Benn for 51.
Benn removed Williams and Jason Peters off consecutive deliveries and has so far taken three for 22 in nine overs.
