Brooks and Harding blow Jamaica away

A first-innings century from captain Shamarh Brooks put Barbados ahead in their game against Jamaica, another from Sheyne Moseley stamped their authority on it and finally a five-for from Keon Harding sealed it in emphatic fashion.

Brooks had won the toss and decided to bat at Bridgetown but soon realised he would have to do most of the running himself. He made 166 runs, spending 498 minutes at the crease and facing 356 deliveries to lift Barbados' total to 427. Only one other player got past a score of 36: Mosely with 79.

With a decent total on the board, and a day three pitch to exploit, Barbados turned the reins over to the slow bowlers. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, offspinner Roston Chase and medium pacer Justin Greaves picked up seven wickets between them to wrap Jamaica up for 247 in 56.3 overs. Chadwick Walton top-scored with 72 off 82 balls.

Armed with a lead of 180, Barbados enjoyed a 169-run opening partnership. Mosely made 100 of those runs, with 11 fours and a six, his partner Kraigg Brathwaite contributed an unbeaten on 58 off 105. Having played 46.1 overs, Barbados declared their second innings and set Jamaica 350 to win.

That set the stage for Harding to blow the top order away. He took four of the first five wickets, leaving the score at 69 for 5 in the 13th over. From there on, it was only a matter of time.