Barbados enters Red Stripe Bowl final

Barbados' distress of bowing out at the semifinal stage of the Red Stripe Bowl for three successive years was finally transformed here yesterday, courtesy of a fabulous Floyd Reifer hundred and a sterling supporting cast.

Their 49-run victory against Trinidad and Tobago represented a crushing margin in the end, but it belied the nature of a contest the opponents had dominated for the first 30 overs.

That Barbados were able to convert a worrying 24 for three into a challenging 219 for five was a reflection of steely resolve which was lifted to a further level when they defended the total against Brian Lara and company.

Determined not to falter at this hurdle again, they held a serious team meeting on Thursday night in which the players seemed to have gotten the message about how to approach the game. They must thank Reifer for a spot in tomorrow's championship game against Guyana, their first final since 1995. His unbeaten 104 off 125 balls with seven fours and two sixes was made in the company of Ryan Hinds, Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw, who all played a part in a splendid recovery.

It had been sheer turmoil for Barbados during the first 15 overs when Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith and Dale Richards could not even find the odd single against mean, direct fast bowling from Mervyn Dillon and Marlon Black on a pitch that contained early moisture.

It appeared a forgone conclusion that Barbados would be lucky to get anywhere near 150. But the uncertainties of this glorious game were revealed for the remainder of the innings in which only a further two wickets fell.

First, it was careful consolidation, followed by awesome aggression. For 24.5 overs, Reifer and Hinds rebuilt Barbados' foundations with a fourth-wicket stand of 103 that was highlighted by a common-sense approach, brisk running between the wickets and measured enterprise. Reifer has a big reputation as a fine player of spin bowling and it was demonstrated by his expert handling of Dave Mohammed and Dinanath Ramnarine, who never posed a threat and conceded more than five runs an over.

Hinds' role was just as important in an innings of 38 off 63 balls before another direct hit from Dillon running in from deep mid-on brought about his downfall in the 39th over with Barbados on 127 for four.

The proceedings dramatically changed with Browne's two sixes in successive overs off Ramnarine and Mohammed and the tempo was further lifted in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 74 in 51 balls between Reifer and Bradshaw that climaxed the innings in grand style.

Pedro Collins, who seemingly relishes the opportunity to bowl at Brian Lara, was promptly recalled when the champion left-hander walked to the middle with Trinidad and Tobago on 45 for two in the 18th over. With a few dark clouds hovering around the Kaiser Sports Club, Lara immediately tried to get after Collins, but gave a catch to mid-off that was accepted by Adrian Griffith, who had earlier taken one to claim another danger man, no-nonsense opener Andy Jackson.

As Lara walked off, out for six, the sun came back out its all its brilliance and Barbados knew they had won the match in Collins' next over when Daren Ganga drove a catch to cover.

The remainder of the innings was a formality as Trinidad and Tobago struggled to 170 for nine.