Kelly's allround show propels T and T

Barbados 270 and 110 for 4 (Richards 58) need a further 227 runs to beat Trinidad and Tobago 340 and 266 (Kelly 93)
Scorecard

A see-saw battle on the fourth day of the Carib Beer Challenge Final between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados ended with the hosts in firm control by the close of play at Guaracara Park. Barbados, having been set a victory target of 337 after dismissing T&T for 266 before tea, tottered to 110 for 4 by the close.

As Rayad Emrit had done two days ago, allrounder Richard Kelly gave a sterling performance with both bat and ball, shepherding the T&T tail to good effect to take their lead over the 300-run mark with a tenacious 93. He then returned to rock Barbados' second innings, dismissing both openers.

The last-wicket partnership between Amit Jaggernauth and Kelly had frustrated their opponents in putting on 26 before Kelly was caught by Dwayne Smith off Pedro Collins, seven runs short of his maiden regional first class century. And when the pair teamed up again - this time at opposite bowling ends - they were very productive as well.

Barbados got off to a flying start in pursuit of a daunting target, with their openers Dale Richards and Wayne Blackman taking 33 runs off Mervyn Dillon and Emrit. Richards was particularly severe on Dillon, scoring heavily off him square of the wicket, in the most productive session of the final. Richards got to his half century driving Jaggernauth to the long-off boundary.

Jaggernauth had Blackman in all sorts of trouble with his `doosra', but the first breakthrough came from Kelly, who trapped Richards leg-before with the score on 86. Blackman (25) followed soon after with the addition of just three runs, playing down the wrong line to a Kelly delivery and having his leg stump disturbed.

Things got even more glum when Floyd Reifer, renowned for being adept at playing spin bowling, tried to knock down a straighter one from Jaggernauth first ball after the drinks break, only to be snapped up by a vigilant Lendl Simmons at silly point, to leave Barbados reeling at 97 for 3. Dwayne Smith's brief stay at the crease ended with the score on 99, hitting straight to Brian Lara at mid-off.

Resuming their overnight score of 137 for 5, Emrit kept Kelly company for almost an hour, before Collins had him caught behind by Patrick Browne for 28. Dwayne Bravo, pushed down the order due to a groin strain, departed without scoring, caught by Hinds off Smith.

Kelly kept up the battle and reached his 50 with steady support from Dave Mohammed at the other end. When the runs dried up, the two kept their patience, to take T&T to 199 for 7 at lunch. With the score on 214, Mohammed (14) flashed at Bradshaw and was caught behind by Browne. The T&T innings came to an end when Kelly, on 93, looking to drive Collins for four, was snatched up with a brilliant diving effort by Smith, leaving Jaggernauth unbeaten on 13. Kelly struck 11 boudaries in his knock.

Barbados will now need a very special batting display to overhaul T&T's total today, fifth and final day of the contest. Ironically, the record at this venue for a successful fourth innings chase is 301 for the home team against their current opponents.