BASSETERRE – Opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite was closing on a century as Barbados trained their sights on first innings points on the second day of their sixth-round WICB four-day match with Leeward Islands yesterday.
Responding to the Leewards’ 201 all out, Barbados recovered from a position of 88 for four to close on 184 for four, with Brathwaite unbeaten on 86.
He was partnered by all-rounder Kevin Stoute, on 54, in a stand of 96 for the fifth wicket.
Earlier, off-spinner Ashley Nurse took all four Leewards wickets to fall to finish with career-best figures of six for 89 as the Leewards collapsed from their overnight score of 161 for six at Warner Park.
Veteran left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn finished with two for 47, while Tonito Willett, unbeaten on 31 at the start, was 54 not out – which included seven fours.
Justin Athanaze failed to add to his overnight one, falling lbw, and Test opener Kieran Powell (18), forced to retire hurt on Saturday after being struck by a Tino Best bouncer, returned to add eight before driving to captain Kirk Edwards at cover.
Nurse then quickly wrapped up the innings with the scalps of Walters without scoring and Anthony Martin for three.
Barbados found themselves in trouble from as early as the third over when Rashidi Boucher drove a full-toss from Walters to Devon Thomas at cover, with the score on one.
Brathwaite and Edwards then put on 73 for the second wicket before the skipper was prised out by Walters, lbw on the back foot sparking a slide where three wickets fell for 14 runs in the space of 32 deliveries.
Nineteen-year-old batsman Shai Hope suffered another single digit score when he was was caught behind off leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr for six, before left-hander Jonathan Carter was trapped lbw on the back foot to seamer Shane Burton without scoring.
Barbados went to tea tottering on 100 for four but Brathwaite and Stoute combined to haul them back into the contest.
The unflappable Brathwaite has so far faced 254 balls in just under five hours of batting and struck seven fours; Stoute has hit six fours in two minutes and 40 minutes and 107 balls at the crease.
Walters has been the leading bowler with two for 32. (CMC)
