Three cheers for Roach

West Indies pacer Kemar Roach spearheaded the Barbados Pride bowling attack well, but the Windward Islands Volcanoes batsmen did not flinch nor flare up at Kensington Oval yesterday.

Behind solid half-centuries from Roland Cato and Kavem Hodge, the Volcanoes reached 241 for six in 81 overs, replying to Barbados Pride’s first innings total of 316 at stumps, on the second day of their eighth round Digicel Regional 4-Day cricket match.

Roach took three for 45 in 16 overs, including the key scalps of former West Indies batsmen Devon Smith and Kirk Edwards for 26 and 16, respectively.

Barbadian all-rounder Kyle Mayers, who is representing the Volcanoes like Edwards, was not out 30, alongside Shane Shillingford on seven as the Volcanoes ended the day 75 runs adrift of the Pride’s total.

Diminutive Dominican Hodge, a key member of the successful UWI Blackbirds side, seemed at home against the Bajan bowlers, with whom he is very familiar.

He was quick to pounce on anything slightly short and also essayed some wristy cuts and drives in gathering 63 in 157 minutes off 137 balls with six fours before gifting his wicket to off-spinner Roston Chase.

Vincentian Cato, who plays club cricket in Barbados for Yorkshire, was run out for an attractive 56, which was laced with eight lovely fours, in 156 minutes off 116 balls.

Attempting a non-existent single, he got no response from Mayers, who had gently played the ball into the leg side, and was left stranded as the stumps were broken with a direct throw at the non-striker’s end. (ES)

Read the full story in today’s Saturday Sun, or in the eNATION edition.