Barbados defeat Leewards (TCL Group West Indies Under 19 Challenge)
CMC | 21/07/08
PINELANDS, Barbados – Barbados, paced by a maiden half-century at this level by Marrodon Bend, defeated the Leeward Islands by five wickets in their fourth round TCL West Indies Under-19 Challenge League cricket match on Monday.
The victory, achieved just before the tea interval on the final day at MTW Sports Club, was Barbados' second of the tournament and lifted the hosts to the tournament lead on 34 points, ahead of the final round starting on Thursday.
Barbados are three points in front of defending champions Guyana, who lost first innings points in a draw against Jamaica.
Bend hit the topscore of 53 with seven fours off 87 balls in 112 minutes as Barbados, set 165 runs for victory, made exactly 165 for five in 68 overs.
The right-handed Bend shared a 43-run fourth-wicket partnership with Roston Chase, who made a patient 14 in 75 minutes on either side of lunch, which was taken with Barbados on 100 for three.
Starting the final day on 23 without loss and requiring 142 more runs for victory, Barbados lost the wickets of openers Rashidi Boucher (24) and Kraigg Brathwaite (28) as well as captain Kyle Corbin for 19 in the pre-lunch session.
Boucher was the first to go after an opening stand of 43 with Brathwaite when he was brilliantly caught in the gully one-handed by a leaping Kejel Tyson off fast-medium bowler Kenroy David.
Brathwaite followed at 72 for two, edging a delivery from fast bowler Adelvin Phillip to wicket-keeper Jahmar Hamilton after occupying the crease for two hours and facing 83 balls.
Phillip, who bowled impressively and ended with three for 26 in 15 probing overs in which he maintained an excellent off-stump line, also removed Corbin when he snicked a catch to Chesney Hughes at second slip.
But the attacking Bend was into his stride from early, lofting left-arm spinner Kadeem Phillip for two fours in one over. He also went after the young off-spinner Tevin Osbourne, twice hitting him over long-on to post his fifty off 81 balls in 107 minutes.
But Osbourne got his revenge, bowling Bend through the gate as he came forward for his 24th wicket of the tournament.
Dario Cummins (10 not out) and Raymon Reifer, whose only run was the winning stroke - a gentle push to backward point - then saw Barbados to victory.
It represented a grand fightback by the Barbadians, who had conceded a one-run first innings lead when they made 145 in reply to the Leeward Islands' total of 146 and then dismissed the Leewards for 163 in their second innings.
