Caribbean T20: Barbados set-up 39 run win over Windward Islands
Javon Searles’ four-wicket haul, well aided by a wonderful lower-order comeback, helped Barbados set up a 39-run win over the Windward Islands in the Caribbean T20 tournament at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown on Sunday. It was the second consecutive victory in as many games for Barbados, which has given them a berth in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Barbados, struggling at 82 for 4 in the 14th over of the innings, rode on Alcindo Holder’s whirlwind 46 off just 23 deliveries to a challenging 20-overs total of 159 for 6. In reply, the Whirlwind Islands, at the end of their allotted quota of 20 overs, were still 39 runs short of the imposing total. Though the run chase for the Windward got off to a promising start but a fantastic Barbados’ attack led by Javon Searles did not let the Windward batting line up to go and win the game.
Darren Sammy, the Windward captain, after winning the toss asked the opposition to bat first. The Barbados start was not imposing if compared to the end of their innings. The single-handed opening stand was led by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Richards as his opening partner Jason Hinds, playing in his first T20 game, was a bit confused against the seam attack of Windward Islands. Richards performed brilliantly, smashing three boundaries and a huge six before he was caught behind off Craig Emmanuel in the seventh over. His 23-balls innings added 29 runs to the team’s total.
Richard’s dismissal put the Barbados side under a lot of pressure that was maintained by the Windward spinners Rawl Lewis and Liam Sebastien even after the Power-play period. While taking a needless run in the eleventh over, Jason was run out, leaving Barbados at 56 for the loss of two wickets on the board. Hinds’ debut T20 innings earned him just 10 runs off 23 balls.
Two sixes towards the midwicket by Jonathon Carter off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lewis-c72807 calmed the nerves for the Barbados team but the excitement was short-lived as captain Ryan Hinds, who was struggling at the crease, scooped a Nelon Pascal delivery to Deighton Butler at long on. He scored three runs off eight balls. Barbados seemed to be falling apart. However, Carter’s 25-ball stay at the crease added 26 more runs to the scorecard including two sixes to Lewis.
Barbados, struggling at 82 for four, was desperate for a steady partnership and that is when the lower-order led by Alcindo Holder showed some initiative. Holder hammered a flurry of sweetly timed boundaries to the Windward’s attack. His assault was well supported by Dwayne Smith. The duo played a succession of innovative shots to drag Barbados towards a formidable total. Smith punished Shillingford while the hittable line and length was well respected by Holder. The 17th over bowled by Pascal bore 19 runs to the opposition. The mauling from both ends forced Darren Sammy to re-introduce http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Butler-c48850, but he too was slaughtered by the bludgeoning Holder with a six to the log-on region followed by a boundary towards point.
The partnership, which was worth 64 runs, was broken when Emmanuel had Smith caught by Andre Fletcher in the 19th over of the innings. Smith scored 24 runs off 15 balls including three massive sixes as well. Wicketkeeper Carlos Morris followed Smith on the next ball after slashing Emmanuel to Sebastien. Holder, who smashed five boundaries and three sixes in his 23 balls innings, remained unbeaten at 46 as Barbados set a 160-run target for the Windward Islands.
The Windward Islands got off to a promising start with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Johnson-Charles-c69060 smashing a six and a boundary in the opening over of Kemar Roach but the situation tattered quickly afterwards. The Windward Islands kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Andre Fletcher was the leading run scorer with 33 off 17 balls including a six and three boundaries. However, his whirlwind 33, without any support from other end, was not enough to stop a second consecutive defeat. Windward Islands were 120 for nine at the end of their 20 overs innings.
Javon Searles, with 4-19, was the most successful bowler. Alcindo Holder’s unbeaten 46 earned him man-of-the-match award.
Tags: