KINGSTON – Barbados continued their domination of Jamaica yesterday, but are now walking a tightrope as they go after a third win in the last four matches of the Regional Four-day cricket tournament.
The Bajans ended yesterday’s third and penultimate day with a first innings lead of 219, and were 162 for two off 46 overs in their second innings, an overall lead of 381 at the close of their fifth round match at Sabina Park.
Even if the defending champs declare this morning, they have given themselves only three sessions to win their match and extend their lead atop the standings.
The not out batsmen at the close were Kirk Edwards on 21, and Jonathan Carter, who is yet to score.
Left-hander Omar Phillips was caught by John Campbell off fast bowler Jerome Taylor for 48, and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, in a rare show of obvious aggression, discarded his usually patient style to push the tempo, before he was caught by wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh off Brian Buchanan for 91, nine runs short of a second first-class ton this season.
Earlier in the day, Jamaica, starting the day on 150 for four, were bowled out for only 204 in 84.2 overs, 35 minutes after lunch in reply to Barbados’ first innings total of 423 all out.
Jamaican captain Tamar Lambert was caught at point by Jonathan Carter off pacer Carlos Brathwaite for one, adding only a single to his overnight score.
Barbados then tightened their grip on the match when Nkrumah Bonner was well caught at slip by Ashley Nurse off left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn for 50 from his overnight 31.
Former West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh, pushing forward, was then trapped leg before by off-spinner Nurse for 20.
Jamie Merchant, swinging, was caught at midwicket by skipper Brathwaite off Nurse for four, and Taylor was caught at forward short-leg by Phillips off Nurse for two as David Bernard was unable to bat because of an injured knee. Nikita Miller was unbeaten on six.
