Barbados Pride mounted a resolute reply after Jamaica Scorpions piled up a towering 457 on a rain-hit second day of their West Indies Championship clash at Sabina Park yesterday.
Resuming on 358 for four, the Scorpions looked poised to push past 500, but the Pride hit back with timely strikes to keep the damage in check.
Still, the Jamaicans achieved a rare feat. The last time they crossed 400 against Barbados was back in 2005 at Chedwin Park during the Carib Beer Cup, when they declared on 522 for nine and went on to win.
But the Pride’s openers paid no heed to history, ensuring Barbados would not surrender meekly, reaching 125 for one in response.
Having set a brisk pace with the bat on the opening day, much of the same was expected on day two.
Overnight batters Brad Barnes (34 not out) and Romaine Morris (nine not out) resumed cautiously, but with the score on 367, Barnes added just six more runs before falling to pacer Shamar Springer.
Abhijai Mansingh’s misery lasted all of five balls. Prodding defensively to short leg, he was brilliantly snapped up by Jonathan Drakes off the bowling of left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for a duck.
Morris tried to bat time, but Springer returned to remove him with the total on 382. When Peat Salmon edged Springer to wicketkeeper Leniko Boucher for just three, the Scorpions were teetering on the brink of failing to reach 400.
Enter Odean Smith, and the big-hitting all-rounder played the only way he knows, smashing 54 off 70 balls, laced with five fours and four sixes.
He found an able partner in Ojay Shields, who was promoted, and the pair added 68 priceless runs for the ninth wicket.
Smith finally fell, tamely edging Roston Chase to the keeper.
Shields followed for 14, as Chase wrapped up the innings. Springer finished with 3 for 99, while Chase, Johann Layne, and Warrican grabbed two wickets apiece.
Facing the mountain of 457, Barbados captain Kraigg Brathwaite and opening partner Shayne Moseley responded with controlled aggression.
The Scorpions’ bowlers struggled for discipline, with Shields leaking boundaries, and Odean Smith going for 26 runs in four overs.
Hundred partnership
The Pride raced to 61 without loss at the first drinks break, then raised their hundred partnership off just 119 balls.
Moseley brought up his 50 from 55 deliveries, with six fours and a six, while Brathwaite reached his from 77 balls with seven fours.
The breakthrough finally came at 105, as off-spinner Peat Salmon bowled Moseley for 53.
Barbados went to tea at 125 for one, with Brathwaite unbeaten on 51 and Jonathan Drakes on 17.
Rain swept in during the tea interval, wiping out the remainder of the day’s play. But the Pride had already sent a message.
Despite the resolute response, Jamaica Scorpions head coach believes his team is still firmly in front.
“We’re still in a very good position, and to post over 400 against Barbados is no small thing,” said Haynes.
“The batters did their job, and I am pleased to see the work they put in paying off.”
Springer, the pick of the bowlers for the Pride, said he had to dig deep to ensure the Jamaican batters did not get away on day two.
“I thought I performed well with the ball as I had to dig deep, concentrate and put the ball in the right areas. The total is a huge one to chase, but our batters have started well, and I believe we have the depth to get the runs.”
Play will resume at 9:30 a.m. today, a half-hour earlier, with Barbados still trailing by 332 runs.
