Pride crush Jaguars to start Super50

BARBADOS PRIDE started the WICB Super50 Cricket Tournament with a crushing victory over Guyana Jaguars by 145 runs under lights at Kensington Oval tonight.

After scoring 302 for seven off their 50 overs – a total that was built on Kraigg Brathwaite’s first regional limited-overs century and Jonathan Carter’s impressive 75 off 64 balls – Barbados restricted their opponents to 157 in 32 overs.

Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (4-35) and off-spinner Ashley Nurse (4-42) shared eight wickets after captain Jason Holder pushed the visitors back by claiming the first two scalps inside the first overs.

Batting first after winning the toss in the day/night match, Barbados posted their highest total at Kensington at this level in an effort in which they gradually accelerated.

Brathwaite made a measured 101 off 146 balls that included seven fours and a six, while the left-handed Carter stroked the ball with confidence in a knock that contained five fours and four sixes.

Towards the end, Holder, who scored 31 off 21 balls, raised the tempo that was sustained by Ashley Nurse (28 off 15 balls) and Roston Chase (20 not out off ten balls).

Guyana Jaguars hardly threatened the imposing total in spite of a half-century from captain Leon Johnson (55).

When Nurse broke a third wicket stand of 41 between Johnson and fellow left-handed Asad Fudadin, it led to a slump in which the last eight wickets fell for 94.

Please see full report in the MIDWEEK NATION. (HG)