CRAB HILL, Barbados, (CMC) - Windward Islands suffered two early setbacks when they lost their opening batsmen, after making Barbados fight all the way for a meaningful first innings lead in their second round match of the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series at the North Stars Cultural & Social Club yesterday.
Windwards were 12 for two in their second innings when stumps were drawn on the second day, after Floyd Reifer and newcomer Shawn Graham completed half-centuries to lead Barbados to 295, replying to the visitors’ modest first innings total of 113.
Reifer, a century-maker in the opening match against Guyana, followed up with a resolute 86 from 199 balls in 4-1/4 hours and Graham showed that he was not overawed by the occasion by batting patiently for 68 off 250 balls in just over five hours.
Reifer and Graham added 142 for the fourth wicket to lay the groundwork for Barbados’ position of superiority in the match that was enhanced when their new-ball pair of Tino Best and Pedro Collins removed Devon Smith and Romel Currency in a fiery burst before the close.
Had Smith not fended a short, rising ball to be caught at gully for nought in Best’s first over, the second of the innings, he might have had his throat severed by the searing delivery, and then Collins ensured a spectacular end when he bowled Currency for two with a full-length delivery.
Earlier, Windwards had endured a wicketless morning period, as Reifer and Graham remained entrenched after Barbados continued from their bedtime position of 82 for three.
The Windwards bowled with purpose and gave the two Barbadian batsmen very little room to play their strokes. The visitors might have had an early breakthrough had Cameron Cuffy held a return chance offered by Reifer when he was 20.
The left-hander remained unflappable, continued to take charge of the bowling and reached his half-century well before the lunch interval. With Graham content to gradually accumulate his runs alongside him, Barbados reached 158 for three at lunch.
After the interval, the grind continued for the Windwards with Reifer progressing to what appeared to be his second century of the season and eighth regional first-class. Meantime, Graham showed he had cleared the first hurdle and quietly passed 50, much to the delight of the sizeable crowd with whom he is a favourite.
Reifer was beginning to accelerate to his landmark when Windwards captain Rawl Lewis called upon off-spin bowler Shane Shillingford for a spell from the northern end. The breakthrough came when Reifer was caught at long off looking to add to his nine fours and two sixes.
After his departure, Barbados lost wickets steadily. Antonio Mayers was caught in the deep to give Shillingford the last of his three wickets for 79 runs from 31 overs that made him the most successful Windwards bowler, and Graham too, was caught in the deep off leg-spinner Orlanzo Jackson, looking for a sixth four to leave Barbados 247 for six.
A stand of 37 for the seventh wicket between Barbados captain Courtney Browne and Sulieman Benn got the home team moving again, but they lost their last four wickets for 11 runs in 16 balls.
Cuffy ended with two for 29 from 20 overs and Fernix Thomas took two for 53 from 17.1 overs.
Barbados have beaten Windwards in nine of the last 10 matches.
The Barbadians were co-leaders in the Championship with West Indies-B after the opening round, following a 10-wicket triumph over Guyana at Kensington Oval, while Windwards were joint second with Trinidad & Tobago after taking first innings points off Jamaica in a drawn match at Beausejour.
WINDWARD ISLANDS 1st innings 113
BARBADOS 1st innings (o/n 82 for three)
S.Campbell c wkpr Murray b Thomas 7
M.Nurse c James b Shillingford 31
R.Hinds b Sammy 15
F.Reifer c Emmanuel b Shillingford 86
S.Graham c Cuffy b Jackson 68
A.Mayers c Emmanuel b Shillingford 14
C.Browne c Sammy b Thomas 24
S.Benn b Cuffy 18
R.Nurse run-out 9
T.Best c Sammy b Cuffy 0
P.Collins not out 0
Extras: (b-8, lb-6, nb-9) 23
Total: (all out) 295
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-59, 3-68, 4-210, 5-229, 6-247, 7-284, 8-295, 9-295.
Bowling: Cuffy 20-10-29-2 (nb-4), Thomas 17.1-6-53-2 (nb-2), Sammy 15-3-36-1 (nb-2), Shillingford 31-4-79-3 (nb-1), Jackson 17-3-50-1, Lewis 16-3-30-0, Smith 1-0-4-0.