IF LIME are to remain in the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) LIME Elite championship next season, they will definitely need to pull something extra special out the bag on the final day of the season, today.
At stumps on the second day, the hosts, who are in dire need of a victory, were in great peril on 78 for seven, in reply to CounterPoint Wanderers’ 152 for eight declared in their first innings.
LIME came into the rescheduled second and final round on 54 points and in ninth position, one spot above Barbados Youth, who are exempt from demotion. They are trying to avoid being demoted for the second time in four seasons.
Leg-spinner Nikolai Charles is on the threshold of his fourth consecutive five-wicket haul as he has so far taken four for 48 after opening the bowling.
Left-arm fast-medium bowler Raymon Reifer has chipped in with three for 28, which has left LIME on the brink of being disconnected from the top level.
Captain Randy Thomas is left to carry the fight and will resume on 25 but his tactics are going to be crucial.
Earlier, the start of play was delayed by 135 minutes because of the season-long problem of saturated run-ups at both ends.
Wanderers began at 110 for five with Renaldo Arthur on 30 and Diego Stuart, ten, but scoring was difficult on the heavy outfield with overgrown grass which wasn’t cut. The partnership realised 44 until Stuart was caught in the deep for 18 off Ashley Nurse.
Javon Searles removed both Arthur and Kevin McClean with the second new ball, taken an over after tea.
Arthur made a patient 47 from 137 balls, in 147 minutes with two fours before he was bowled.
When McClean was caught at the wicket, the declaration denied LIME that much-needed fourth bowling point. Searles and Nurse took three wickets each for 21 and 62 runs, respectively.
