Richards century propels Barbados

Barbados 259 for 5 (Richards 127, Hinds 57) lead Guyana 241 by 18 runs
Scorecard

Barbados drove home the advantage by securing first-innings points thanks to a fine 127 by Dale Richards that propelled them to finish the second day on 259 for 5, 18 runs ahead of Guyana, at the Everest Cricket Club.

Richards, who hit his first first-class century, was the dominant player early on as he and Wayne Blackman (27) put on a solid opening stand. Kurt Wilkinson provided good support, making just 20 in the 63-run partnership with Richards after Reon King, the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 54, dismissed Blackman with the score on 79.

However, after Wilkinson departed, Richards went into his shell and dropped anchor as Ryan Hinds played some aggressive shots during his half-century. The pair took to score past 200 and the game was slipping away from Guyana until King struck with the crucial wicket of Hinds for 57 and then followed up by dismissing Floyd Reifer (5). Richards, who battled cramps in the latter half of his innings, fell just before stumps, leg-before to Esaun Crandon.